Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this important topic.

Farm safety is a major issue, with fatal incidents on farms accounting for just over two in five of all workplace fatal incidents. There was an average of 19 fatal incidents per year on Irish farms over the past decade. Unfortunately, this year to date, there have been three fatalities on farms. In addition, data from the Teagasc National Farm Survey (NFS) reveals that there are approximately 4,500 non-fatal incidents each year on Irish farms.

There has been a welcomed reduction in farm fatalities over the past two years, but that is little comfort to those mourning the loss of a loved one. One farm fatality is one too many.

This Government has prioritised farm safety, health and wellbeing. My Ministerial colleague, Martin Heydon, has specific responsibility for Farm Safety as part of his portfolio. Minister Heydon continues to do strong work in the area.

My Department is implementing a series of farm safety, health and wellbeing initiatives in 2023, utilising dedicated funding of €2.5m. These initiatives include capital support to make farms safer, support for education and awareness through promoting farm safety practices and risk awareness that encourage behavioural change, while also supporting those who have been impacted by fatal and non-fatal incidents.

The measures include the Acceleration of Wear and Tear Allowances for Farm Safety Equipment, the On Feirm Ground Programme, joint promotional farm safety campaigns with the HSA and the new Farm Safety Capital Investment Scheme which will be opening shortly.

Further proposals are in the process of being finalised and will be announced in due course.

My Department continues to engage with all stakeholders to improve farm safety, health and wellbeing on our farms. The number of deaths and injuries on Irish farms is too high and we need to continue to take steps to effect behaviour change and ensure that incidents levels are reduced.