Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

324. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of farm safety inspectors employed by the Health and Safety Authority; and the number of new inspectors hired in 2017 and to date in 2018, for farm safety. [32196/18]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

 In 2017 the HSA undertook a recruitment campaign for 11 Inspector posts, 6 of which were for field inspection posts which have now been filled. These 6 Inspectors will be involved in future farm inspection campaigns thereby helping to ensure that farm inspection campaign targets are achieved. These inspectors are in addition to the existing cohort of 18 inspectors currently involved in farm inspection and farm safety promotion campaigns.

The HSA is currently in the process of carrying out a recruitment campaign to recruit an additional 12 new inspectors of which 7 will be specifically Brexit related and the remainder will be assigned to chemicals and general inspection activities which will include farm safety inspection and promotion activities.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

325. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the amount spent by the Health and Safety Authority on farm safety initiatives; the number of inspections in each of the years 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; the number of fatalities on farms in this period annually; the percentage of farm fatalities out of total workplace fatalities recorded by the HSA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32197/18]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

326. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the amount allocated by the Health and Safety Authority for farm safety initiatives in 2017 and 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32198/18]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 325 and 326 together.

The amount allocated by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) for farm safety initiatives in the years 2010 to 2017, and the anticipated expenditure for 2018 and the number of farm inspections and investigations 2010– 2018, are set out in the attached appendix. Also attached in tabular form are details about farm fatalities in the context of total workplace fatalities.

While the HSA was originally allocated a budget of €384,000 for farm safety initiatives in 2017, the actual expenditure was higher at €533,995 due to the allocation of additional funding by my Department during 2017.

In 2018 the HSA has allocated approximately €624,000 for farm safety initiatives. The actual figure expended might vary during the year in response to particular issues that arise in this or other sectors.  These initiatives will involve the organisation of, participation in, or support of a wide range of agriculture related events as well as media coverage. The Authority will also engage in a number of targeted promotional campaigns through relevant media.

In 2018 the HSA is also carrying out three focused inspection campaigns each of one-month duration. The first campaign focused on Livestock Handling in March, the second campaign was on Farm Vehicle Safety which took place in May and the third on Working at Height and Maintenance will take place in October. In addition to these specific campaigns other national campaigns related to vehicle and construction safety will have relevance to the farming sector.

Since 2014 the HSA has redirected some of its inspection resources towards engaging directly with farmers on other accident prevention initiatives. Research has shown that farmers working in peer to peer groups, such as Knowledge Transfer Groups similar to Discussion Groups take on new information, new procedures, and new technology more easily and make more lasting changes in the way they farm when involved with such groups. The objective is to bring about sustainable changes to work practices and controlling risk.

In line with the research findings the HSA has a renewed focus in offering strong support to  these Knowledge Transfer Groups. During 2017 HSA inspectors were involved with over 100 such Groups, in addition to farm walks, thereby reaching a further 2,000 farmers through such engagements. The use of Knowledge Transfer Groups is continuing in 2018.

*Note: Annual figures for expenditure include some cross sectorial initiatives where the expenditure is also relevant to other sectors. As it is not possible to extract this it has been included as the full figure.

** Note: The expenditure figure for farm safety initiatives in 2010 was recorded on a now defunct financial system and is no longer accessible but was similar to expenditure for 2011.

Set out below also is a table showing the breakdown of the annual farm inspection numbers carried out by the HSA from 2010 to date in 2018 (Feb. 13^th).

Farm inspections and investigations 2010 – 2018