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

Exactly. There are a lot of pressures in farming from price to weather to rushing around and all those different elements. The pandemic really brought home the fact that the lockdown took away the key social engagements that farmers had that they really depended upon such as the trip to the mart, maybe the trip to mass or religious service at the weekend, a trip to a pub or a trip to a local sporting event. That was the only break away from the farm where they could meet other farmers and share their experiences and concerns, whether it was a local farm organisation branch meeting or whatever, and realise that the pressures they were feeling were the same as everybody else's. The area of mental health is directly linked to farm safety.

As regards the fund available to the Minister of State, Deputy Healy-Rae, this year, I know he is looking at a number of projects there around engagement and social isolation and to support farmers in their mental health. I will absolutely support those endeavours because this is key. The heart of Food Vision 2030 is about minding our farmers as our primary producers.

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