Pippa Hackett (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for the question. As she and maybe many Members of the House will be aware, social farming provides a planned outcome-focused support placement for people on a farm using the natural assets of the people, the place, the activities and the community to support a person to achieve some of his or her chosen goals. It has been shown to provide benefits to participants such as improved community connections and relationships, increased self-esteem and capacity, improved health and well-being as well as providing the opportunity to develop occupational and life skills from engaging in farm-based activities.

In recognition and in support of all of those benefits, my Department provides funding under the rural innovation and development fund, RIDF, for the development of the national social farming network, known as Social Farming Ireland. In addition, funding is also provided for the development of a number of social farming model projects throughout Ireland.

The organisations currently under contract to provide the services and their associated funding for 2023-2024 are as follows. Under the national social farming network, Leitrim Integrated Development Company CLG - Social Farming Network has received €400,000. Under the social farming model contracts, Leitrim Integrated Development Company CLG has received €100,000, Down Syndrome Ireland Cork branch has received €92,485, South Kerry Development Partnership has received €100,000, and IRD Duhallow has received €84,250. It is anticipated that a similar level of funding will be provided by my Department in 2024 for the extension of all of the above contracts. It is also my understanding that there are additional streams of funding available from other agencies for social farming placements.

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