Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 221: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation to whom has he delegated powers in relation to the Health and Safety at Work Acts; his views on the level of farm fatalities in 2011; his plan for dealing with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11632/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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I have not delegated any powers under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Acts 2005 to 2010 to a Minister of State.

The levels of farm fatalities recorded in recent years have been extremely high given the numbers employed in the agriculture sector as a proportion of the overall labour force. Unfortunately this trend has continued since the turn of the year, where over one third of workplace fatalities so far in 2011 have occurred in the agricultural sector.

The Health and Safety Authority has specifically targeted farm safety as a priority area for 2011 and plans to increase its visits to farms to 3,000 in 2011.

I have recently announced my intention to call farming interests together in the near future to discuss farm safety and to encourage them to continue to spread the farm safety message. I am aware of an increased focus on farm safety by all farm interests and I appreciate the efforts which have been put into promoting awareness within their organisations and to their members.

Agriculture is a vital element in Ireland's recovery and it is imperative that those who work in this area do so in the safest way possible.