Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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415. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the measures she has introduced to promote and increase safety on farms in view of the Covid-19 situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9143/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Health and Safety Authority is providing advice and support to employers and workers across all sectors of the economy, including farming, on how to implement the COVID-19 measures set out in the national Return to Work Safely Protocol through its helpline, website and during site inspections. The Health and Safety Authority has also developed a range of checklists and templates which are available free to download from its website and further material will be developed and revised as the public health situation and knowledge develops.

With the restrictions on general movement and the closure of many workplaces and schools during the COVID-19 pandemic there are many more people, especially children, spending more time around the family farm. There is an increased level of risk in this regard and the Health and Safety Authority has engaged with key stakeholders through a range of initiatives to urge farm families to be extra vigilant.

Since the commencement of Phase 1 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, almost 1,000 onsite inspections have been undertaken by the Authority (as of Friday 29 May 2020) across a range of sectors, including farming, to oversee compliance with the national Return to Work Safely Protocol.