Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1203. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to increase funding or introduce schemes relating to farm safety, in view of the increase in farm deaths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35979/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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While the Health and Safety Authority has primary responsibility for farm safety, I am particularly supportive of promoting farm safety and improving the safety record on farms. The rate of accidents on farms remains far too high and safety is a critical issue facing farming today. Statistics show that accidents on farms cause more workplace deaths than all other occupations combined. To date this year there have been 14 fatal farm accidents on Irish farms. These 14 fatal farm accidents account for over 48 percent of all fatal work accidents so far in 2017, while farming accounts for less than 6 percent of the workforce.

Farm safety is an integral part of the TAMS II farm safety schemes run by my Department. As part of these schemes there is a wide range of safety related investments that farmers may undertake. Further it is a requirement that all farmers applying for grant-aid under the TAMS II schemes have completed a minimum of a half-day course on farm safety before they can draw down funding.

In addition to the TAMS II schemes, there is a mandatory Health and Safety element included in all Knowledge Transfer Groups under the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme. These groups will directly engage in the region of 20,000 farmers with farm safety.

Safety must become an integral part of farming culture. While there are many risks in farming, farming does not have to be a dangerous occupation. Behavioural change is what is required to prevent many accidents. It is a case of being aware of the dangers and taking the time to do what is necessary to minimise the risk.