Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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191. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts made to date by his Department to reduce incidents of farm deaths and farm accidents; the supports available to those persons living with life altering injuries as a result of an accident on the farm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53297/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Farm safety is a critical issue facing farming today.  Statistics show that accidents on farms cause more workplace deaths than all other occupations combined. 

While there are many risks in farming, farming does not have to be a dangerous occupation.  Behavioural change is urgently required to minimise risk and prevent future accidents.

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has primary responsibility for Health and Safety on Farms, while the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is fully supportive of their work and assists in the promotion of safe farming practices.

DAFM, in conjunction with the HSA, is focused on changing farmer behaviour in relation to Health and Safety.  Research (commissioned by the HSA) has shown that behavioural change is the key to reducing the level of accidents both fatal and non-fatal, on farms.  The same research showed that farmers are generally aware of the risks, however, there were problems with farmers often not  adhering to the safety guidance.

On-going Initiatives of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on farm safety include the following:

- A Farm Safety Scheme was opened as part of the TAMS II round of on-farm investment schemes under the 2014-2020 RDP.

- As part of all the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes it is mandatory to have completed a minimum of a ½ day farm safety course on completing the Code of Practice within the last five years.

- A mandatory Health and Safety element is 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.

- ‘Health and Safety’ guidelines are included in all ‘Building Specifications,’ drawn up by the Department for the construction of agricultural buildings and structures.  The guidelines give advice on best practice and legislation.

- A Farm Safety leaflet is included with the Single / Basic Payment application packs, distributed annually to over 130,000 farmers.

- In terms of assistance to farm families who have either suffered a loss or severe injury as a result of a farm accident, and who may not have experience in dealing with the type of day to day issues that might bring them in contact with the Department in relation to schemes and services, a single point of contact has been established in my Department’s Quality Customer Service Unit. Every assistance and guidance possible is provided to make contact/dealings with the Department as easy and as straightforward as possible.

Contact details for the Service are as follows:

Phone: 057 8694464

E-mail: qualityserviceunit@agriculture.gov.ie

- The Department is an active member of the Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee and is in regular contact with the Health and Safety Authority.  This committee includes of members from a wide range of bodies within agriculture and looks at how to promote and develop farm safety.

- A North South Farm Safety Group was formed in 2015, the purpose of the group is to seek ways in which the respective authorities can work together to enhance the work currently undertaken in each jurisdiction on Farm Safety.  The group is supporting the sharing of information on farm safety between both jurisdictions and looking at the development of joint farm safety initiatives. 

Teagasc have a Tragic Event Service for Family Farms (TESFF) to offer support to farm families.  In the aftermath of tragic events on farms leading to death or serious injury, advisors will offer their support without additional cost to affected families. The key areas of support are as follows.

- Technical support to ensure that the family can make the critical management decisions in time and ensure that the farm can continue to operate at a reasonable level of performance.

- Farm Financial Business support in dealing with bankers, accountants and Revenue.

- Support in working with my Department in relation to the various Schemes and Services available to ensure that the farm continues to participate in and receive its entitlements under various schemes.

- Structural Changes to assist the farm family stabilise the farm so that it can function effectively, this may mean changing the system of farming, scaling down or employing additional hired labour.

The level of accidents is far too high on Irish farms and is something that I am particularly focused on.