Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The CAP is a fantastic opportunity for us to do that, but there other measures I have introduced over the past year. My Department and I launched a call under the locally led innovation partnership model, specifically related to farm safety and a first for farm safety, at the end of 2020. It will see the provision of at least €1 million in funding support for farm safety initiatives. Initial project proposals were submitted in January and we were delighted to be overwhelmed with a large number of good-quality applications. Those projects that successfully progressed to stage 2 have submitted additional details and these are being assessed with a view to rolling out the final successful projects as soon as possible.

In addition, the Department and I, in conjunction with the Department of Finance, are finalising the accelerated capital allowance scheme for farm safety and disabilities adaptation equipment. When the scheme is up and running, relief will be available for eligible expenditure incurred since 1 January 2021. The scheme will provide for accelerated capital allowance at 50% per annum over two years for eligible specified farm safety and adaptive equipment. The Department and I will continue to work closely with our colleague the Minister of State, Deputy English, and the HSA on that important issue. There is also the initiative On Feirm Ground, regarding farmers' health and well-being, because the two issues are inextricably linked. I guarantee the Deputy that my determination and that of the Minister and the Minister of State at the Department, Senator Hackett, is to drive on with changing the culture regarding farm safety.

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