Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

151. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures that are being taken to ensure that farmers are aware of supports available to them if struggling with their well-being; his consideration on providing supports additional to what is currently in place for farmer welfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61364/22]

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

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

This Government has prioritised farm safety, health and wellbeing. Dedicated funding of €2.25m was allocated in Budget 2022 for a range of initiatives including initiatives to support increased awareness of the importance of mental health and well-being among farmers. 

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), along with the HSE and the Department of Health, has cofunded a farmers physical and mental health awareness programme called ‘On Feirm Ground’. This programme is providing training for agricultural advisors to engage with and signpost farmers to supports in relation to health and wellbeing. 

To date, approximately one third of agricultural advisors have been trained, with a target to deliver the programme to 800 farm advisors. Plans are underway to expand this programme to other professionals coming in regular contact with farmers in 2023.  

DAFM is funding eight farm safety European Innovation Partnerships (EIP’s) projects to the value of €1.8m.

Four of these projects are focused on 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.

DAFM is also providing support for research into farmer mental health. Funding has been provided for the FarMHealth Research Project - the DCU study examining farmers mental health literacy & help-seeking behaviour. Results from this study will inform the development of an educational mental health intervention for farmers. 

DAFM supports the work of the HSA’s Farm Safety Partnership and was recently 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. 

DAFM's Farm Safety, Health and Wellbeing webpage includes links and contact numbers to helplines for a range of support organisations for any farmer or family member needing assistance with mental health. A link to the Teagasc/Mental Health Ireland booklet “Coping with the Pressures of Farming” is also listed on the webpage.

Farm safety, health and wellbeing is a priority for me and my colleague, Minister of State Martin Heydon T.D. Dedicated funding has been increased to €2.5m in Budget 2023 which will allow existing initiatives to continue as well as develop new initiatives to build on DAFM's efforts to improve farm safety, health and wellbeing.