Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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724. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of all official engagements and meetings that he has attended with specific regard to farm safety since assuming office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56999/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The CAP Strategic Plan is currently under development in the Department.

Health and safety elements will be incorporated as appropriate and my officials are developing measures to reflect this. Health and Safety will feature strongly in our training programmes for farmers and advisers as well as through the various measures from on farm investments to livestock handling.

Under the current Rural Development Programme (RDP), health and safety is incorporated into the on-farm investment scheme (TAMS) with support available for a wide range of safety measures and equipment. Health and safety is also a key element of all training and knowledge transfer schemes for farmers and advisers.

This year under the transitional arrangements, I have secured funding of €1m to consider innovative solutions to Health and Safety under the locally led Innovation Partnership model (EIP’s). I intend to take the learnings from these projects and see how they can inform our policy and supports for health and safety in any future measures.

I have had many meetings in relation to both TAMS and CAP funding and structure which would relate to Farm safety issues.

To highlight this government commitment to farm safety Minister of State Martin Heydon TD was given the responsibility for farm safety as part of his brief. Minister Heydon has played a real leadership role in this space since his appointment helping to significantly raise awareness of farm safety as well as putting place pioneering initiatives.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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725. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of all official engagements and meetings attended by the Minister of State with responsibility for farm safety at his Department since assuming office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57000/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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To highlight this Government's commitment to farm safety, Minister of State Martin Heydon TD was given the responsibility for farm safety as part of his brief. Minister Heydon has played a real leadership role in this space since his appointment helping to significantly raise awareness of farm safety as well as putting place pioneering initiatives.

Minister Heydon and I are committed to reducing the number of farm accidents and deaths. Farming is one of the greatest professions but accidents and deaths in the sector remain too high. We must all take a proactive and innovative approach to driving down these high rates.

During the period requested, Minister Heydon attended numerous meetings, events, launches and media interviews relating to his official duties as Minister of State for the Department. A list of his official engagements is provided below.