Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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94. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being taken by his Department to encourage farm safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55024/25]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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I thank Deputy McCarthy.

Farm safety, health and well-being is a priority for this Government. The Department is implementing a range of initiatives this year on farm safety, utilising dedicated funding of €2.5 million secured in budget 2025. I was pleased to secure an increase in this dedicated funding for farm safety, health and well-being to €3 million in budget 2026. In relation to 2025 funding, I have approved funding for 40 projects following an open call for farm safety, health and well-being projects earlier this year. More recently, we announced contracts for the delivery of children’s and young person’s farm safety awareness initiatives.

A number of key schemes under the CAP strategic plan also ensure a focus on farm safety. The TAMS 3 farm safety capital investment scheme continues to provide grant aid for a wide range of farm safety related investments. Health and safety guidelines are included in all building specifications for the construction of agricultural buildings and structures. All TAMS applicants are required to complete a half-day of farm safety training.

Farmer health and safety training is also included in other Department schemes, such as the suckler carbon efficiency programme, the ACRES training scheme and the knowledge transfer programme. The accelerated capital allowances scheme was expanded in budget 2025 to cover a broader range of farm safety investments in addition to the existing range of eligible farm safety equipment and adaptive equipment for farmers with disabilities. The additional farm safety investments are eligible for both TAMS and the accelerated capital allowances.

This year, my Department partnered with the Health and Safety Authority to deliver targeted media campaigns focusing on farm safety risks due to livestock and farmer fatigue. In addition, the HSA's guidance on managing fatigue with farm work was included in the 2025 BISS packs distributed to over 125,000 farmers.

The increased funding in 2026 will enable me to continue to deliver initiatives to support the safety, health and well-being of farmers, and everyone working and living on farms.

Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for his response. We all agree that the health and well-being of our farmers are of vital importance. That is why I am pleased that the Minister of State and his Department are taking farm safety seriously. Nobody wants to hear of accidents or, heaven forbid, fatalities at work. Our farmers do an important job, sometimes in very dangerous circumstances. I, therefore, welcome the measures outlined by the Minister of State. I acknowledge that the farm safety capital investment scheme measure in TAMS 3 saw County Cork farmers receive the highest funding allocation of over €348,000 in 2024. This will allow farmers to improve their own safety and that of their farm. With that in mind, I ask the Minister of State if it is likely that this measure will continue next year.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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As I said at the beginning, this Government considers farm safety of the utmost importance. I highlight that farm safety continues to be one of the most critical issues that need to be addressed on farms today. Statistics show that over the past decade, farm incidences account for almost 40% of all workplace fatalities, while accounting for only 6.1% of the working population. In addition, there are approximately 4,500 non-fatal incidents each year on Irish farms, some of which result in life-changing injuries. Very sadly, 16 farm fatalities have been confirmed this year. There has also been one in the marine and aquaculture sector. We are fighting a battle. The Deputy is right to raise the issue. Everyone, on all sides of the House, wants our farms to become what building sites became. We must remember that at one time, building sites were not safe places to work but that changed thanks to the work of the HSA and stricter regulations. We all might have given out about that at times when we were adapting, but we grew into it. Our building sites have become far safer places. We want to do the same for our farmyards, farm machinery and farms in general. If we can model our farms on the way building sites changed, we will reduce the deaths and the non-fatal accidents.

Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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I acknowledge the work of the Minister of State and the Government on farm safety. I note that the Department has looked for proposals that focus on farm safety, health and well-being, and enhancing farmers' awareness, and that studies are being conducted. I also appreciate that a physical and mental health awareness programme is being funded, together with the Department of Health and the HSE, and that a media campaign focused on farmer fatigue has been run in partnership with the Health and Safety Authority. These are all important and welcome steps in ensuring farmer safety. Is the Department considering any other specific safety measures aimed, in particular, at younger farmers? Will the Minister of State please confirm the exact amount of dedicated funding for farm safety measures outlined in budget 2026?

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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I confirm that, as I said, there will be an increase in funding for safety this year to €3 million. I have been visiting schools. An agri-aware safety programme is running in our schools. It is excellent. This great work was started by our senior Minister, Deputy Heydon. He took it upon himself to focus on safety for young people, in particular. In the programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, the Government has set out its commitment to continuing to prioritise improvements in farm safety, health and well-being through strengthened supports. It places a specific focus on farmers' mental health and well-being, recognising the unique challenges faced by the sector. It also promotes positive mental health and well-being across the farming sector.

From the Taoiseach to the Tánaiste, our senior Minister and everyone else in the House, including the Opposition Deputies, every one of us wants to improve farm safety. If we all work together, we will, I hope, be able to reduce the number of deaths.