Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On Deputy Harkin’s question on social farming, first, I have to express an interest in it. I recently completed a course in UCC on practical supports for social farming. It is one of the great enablers. Farming and being close to nature is natural. It has a massive therapeutic value within society. I believe in the cross-departmental piece. The Minister of State outlined where she has given grants. I am familiar with the south Kerry partnership, which I visited on a number of occasions, and with my own IRD Duhallow and the work that it does. That comes from the Department. I chair the Joint Committee on Disability Matters in the Houses of the Oireachtas. We look at all the needs that exist and the unmet needs in society. It is vitally important there is interdepartmental co-ordination and cohesion because the ability of social farming to help so many in society is enormous.

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