Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

84. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the efforts by his Department to address issues regarding farmer mental health given that a recent study to coincide with agri mental health week found that almost one quarter of Irish farmers are at risk of taking their own life, and another recent UCD study showed that 80% of rural farmers suffered from mental distress and depression. [53205/22]

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

I thank the Deputy for this question on such an important topic.

I congratulate UCD and the HSE on their research. The research reveals the extent to which farmers on the island of Ireland are experiencing a range of challenges and stressors that are negatively impacting their mental health and highlights the importance of mental health initiatives and suicide awareness for members of the farming community.

This Government has prioritised farm safety, health and wellbeing. In 2022, for the first time, dedicated funding of €2.25m was allocated for a range of initiatives including initiatives to support increased awareness of the importance of mental health among farmers.

The Department of Agricuture, Food and the Marine is co-funding, with the HSE and the Department of Health, a farmers physical and mental health awareness programme called, ‘On Feirm Ground’. This programme provides training for agricultural advisors to improve their understanding of best practice in engaging farmers with health programmes and services.

The Department is currently engaging with other professionals coming in regular contact with farmers and plans to expand this programme further in 2023.

Last year, the Department funded eight farm safety European Innovation Partnerships (EIP) projects to the value of €1.8m. Four of these projects are focused on around the mental health of people in the farming community. The projects focus on addressing challenges around farm safety, health and well-being through innovative approaches which encourage a change in behaviour from the bottom up. Additional funding has been made available to extend these projects into 2023.

The Department is also providing support for research into farmer mental health. Funding has been provided for the DCU FarMHealthResearch Project, a study that will inform the development of an educational mental health intervention for farmers.

The Department supports the work of the HSA’s Farm Safety Partnership and was involved in the publication of its booklet on “Farmers’ Health and Wellbeing - A Guide to Staying Healthy While Farming”. The booklet includes a section on coping with stress and minding your mental health.

I want to reassure the Deputy that farm safety, health and wellbeing is a priority for me and my colleague,Minister of State Martin Heydon T.D, the first Minister of State with special responsibility for farm safety. Dedicated funding has been increased to €2.5m in Budget 2023 which will continue to build on my Department’s efforts to improve farm safety, health and wellbeing.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

85. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the work that he is undertaking to support Ireland’s wool industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47187/22]

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

As the Deputy may be aware, one of the commitments of the current Programme for Government was to conduct a review of the potential demand for wool-based products such as for insulation and fertilisers in domestic and international markets.

Despite its versatility in many industries, wool prices remain low, so in order to address this issue and seek a more favourable outlook for the future of the wool industry, I initiated a comprehensive review of the wool industry to explore market opportunities in order to maximise the potential of this valuable natural resource. I set aside funding of €100,000 to carry out this review.

In March 2021, a public consultation process was launched to identify terms of reference for the review and to invite stakeholders to make recommendations on potential market opportunities for wool products. A total of 45 submissions were received from a wide range of stakeholders.

Following a competitive public procurement process, ‘The Agile Executive’ a consortium made up of experts from Munster Technological University and Donegal Yarns, was appointed in November 2021 to carry out the wool review and examine the submissions received under the public consultation process.

In July 2022, the Programme for Government commitment was delivered with the publication of the Wool Review Report. This report which was compiled independently by The Agile Executive, contained a number of findings and recommendations including potential funding streams, market opportunities and multiple areas for additional research and development for wool.

One of the main recommendations was the establishment of an independent Wool Council led by industry which would develop and promote Irish wool domestically and internationally and bring together multiple stakeholders to foster collaboration, innovation and scaling activities in the wool sector. It is envisaged that this Council would be a forum where stakeholders can further examine and explore the potential uses for wool identified in the Wool Feasibility Study report.

I understand that stakeholders in the Wool industry have taken the initial steps towards the formation of the Wool Council, and I anticipate that this process will be concluded by the industry in the coming months. I am very supportive of the establishment of this independent industry-led Wool Council which can use the findings of the wool review as a roadmap to develop pathways towards maximising the true potential of Irish wool into the future.

Once established, my Department has committed to providing €30,000 in financial assistance towards the initial set-up costs.

It is my hope that the Council and the report can create a roadmap that will lead to greater returns for this great and sustainable product.