Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to contribute as I am not a member of this committee. First, I wish to acknowledge the presence of my brother, Matthew McGreehan. He is my go-to person when it comes to social farming. I am a great believer in social farming and it is great that this committee is having a robust discussion on social farming.

I want to ask, from the two points of view, what are the witnesses' experiences. This is not just about the time on the farm or the administration around it. It is about the added value that each farmer is giving into their community, the added value that the individual takes onto the farm and to their families, and the added value for the families who have social farmers on their farms. What can we do as Oireachtas Members to support that? If the voluntary model is what some farmers want to go to, I think there is a value and an economic value in supporting farmers. In the context of all the talk about low incomes and farmers, it is about keeping small farmers in rural marginal areas on the land with their families. When we are talking about diversification of the farm, and when farm incomes are at an all-time low, it is an absolute miracle that something so positive like this can keep families farming and keep families on their land. What can we do as a committee and as an Oireachtas to make sure we have more people supported in the positive activity of social farming and more families taking on social farming?