Maura Hopkins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join the Cathaoirleach in welcoming my former colleague, Councillor Kathleen Shanagher, to the Chamber today. I welcome the Minister, Deputy Creed, to the Seanad and I wish him every success in his new role.

The farming sector is crucial to Ireland's economy and agrifood is our most important indigenous sector. Farm safety is a critical issue today and is of serious concern. Some 30 people lost their lives in farm accidents in 2014; there were 18 in 2015 and eight to date this year. This is in addition to the many who are living with disability as a result of farm accidents.

Farming is a very diverse and dynamic environment. Owing to the increasing cost of inputs and the reducing value of outputs such as cattle, sheep, milk and cereals, farmers continually strive to reduce costs. When the fertiliser spreader breaks, they take on the role of welder and mechanic. When the water trough leaks, they take on the role of plumber. When the infra-red lamp over the weak lamb does not work, they take on the role of electrician. When the galvanised sheeting is flapping on the roof, they take on the role of roofer. This means our farmers must be highly skilled in many disciplines, but it also means they are exposed to a diverse set of hazards.

If a family loses a loved one or is left with a disability due to a farm accident, the impact is profound. Having worked as an occupational therapist, I know at first hand the huge number of farmers presenting at accident and emergency departments with severe trauma. Until it reaches our door or the door of a loved one, it is difficult to fully appreciate the impact of life with a disability, including reduced mobility, hand injury, chronic pain, fatigue, adaptation of homes and cars, medical bills and family stress. The impact is enormous and it can be very difficult to cope.

Farm-related accidents in the seven-year period from 2005 to 2011 accounted for 677 bed-days in Mayo University Hospital in Castlebar according to a study carried out by Professor Kevin Barry, a consultant surgeon in the hospital. This is a stark statistic. It is very important for us to gather better data on GP attendances and accident and emergency department attendances in order to capture more details on farm-related accidents. This will allow us to emphasise further the seriousness, the implications of farm accidents and the need to be vigilant and to allow for a greater change of attitude for the better.

Many farmers visited the Beef 2016 event yesterday. They went to learn about the increasing use of quality grass and breeding more efficient animals using the best methods of managing disease.One of the most important exhibits was on the topic of farmer health and farm safety presented by the Health and Safety Authority, the Department, Teagasc and many of the farmer organisations.

This is really positive progress in terms of putting farm safety to the fore. It should take priority over farm efficiency. The campaign this week is, "Who would fill your boots in the event of a farm accident?" It is important that we keep the message of farm safety to the forefront of our minds. Without the farmer, there is no farm.

I very much welcome the new farm safety scheme under TAMS II. It is important in encouraging farmers to prioritise farm safety as an area for investment. I also very much support other initiatives, the VAT rebate on specific farm safety items and the scrappage schemes for PTO shafts, as proposed by farmer organisations which have a lot of merit.

The most important element of increasing farm safety is training and education. It is key to a change of mindset. I very much welcome the focus on ensuring that education on farm safety is embedded from a very young age. It is important that published material on farm safety is deliver to schools. It is important to take advantage of e-learning tools. We need to embed safety training in our schools and homes.

It is everybody's responsibility to prioritise safety as the first action. Farmers and farm families are exposed to a wide range of hazards on a daily basis, combined with increased pressures and stress. We need to emphasise the importance of taking time to ensure they are doing our job correctly and not taking shortcuts.