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

I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue. We probably do not shine a light on it often enough. Mental health is a critical issue facing all of society, including farmers. Farmers are particularly vulnerable to pressures owing to the issue of isolation and all the pressures that come with the role.

I am aware of the UCD study. I have met its authors because I was keen to get their take on not just the results but also the process they went through. The study has revealed the extent to which Irish farmers are experiencing a range of challenges and stressors that are negatively impacting their mental health. They highlight the importance of mental health initiatives to support farmers. The Government has prioritised farm safety, health and well-being. We have secured dedicated funding of €2.5 million in budget 2023 for a range of initiatives, including initiatives to support increased awareness of mental health among farmers.

In my experience, a lot of the challenge has been identifying farmers who are under pressure and struggling and signposting the supports to them. It is not that we do not have a lot of supports for people who are suffering with their mental health; it is a matter of identifying where people are under pressure.

In a lot of other work settings, people are surrounded by colleagues and are in a workplace where people can identify that they are under pressure and maybe have that conversation with them. In the isolation of farming, when the farmer may spend a lot of time on their own, those pressures can be compounded by that isolation but also may not be picked up on by others. That is why, along with the HSE and the Department of Health, my Department is co-funding a farmers' physical and mental health awareness programme called On Feirm Ground. Approximately 250 agricultural advisers have received training and this year the programme will be rolled out to staff in my Department and other professionals who are in regular contact with farmers. The idea is that it starts with the advisers, which is a very trusted position in a farmer's life. I am talking about the conversation over the gate at the end of a farm visit. Advisers will be supported to understand so that if they do see a farmer under stress, they will be able to ask him or her the right questions, use the right language and signpost the supports that are available.

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