Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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63. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has plans to increase the funding for social farming, given the benefits that are felt by people with psychosocial issues, people with disabilities, young people not in employment, education or training, people recovering from substance misuse and refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25307/23]

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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68. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has plans to develop social farming in order that an employment programme can be offered as well as a pre-employment programme, so that participants can receive payment, as well as the farmer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25308/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 68 together.

Social farming is the practice of offering farming and horticultural participation in a farming environment as a choice to people who avail of a range of therapeutic day support services.

From visiting social faming hosts and having engaged with those who run the service nationally and locally, I have seen first-hand the huge benefit the service provides. I fully recognise and support the significance of social farming and the many benefits it brings for rural communities and for disadvantaged groups who are availing of a range of health service supports.

The range of services with whom Social Farming Ireland is working is growing and reaches across the many sectors where vulnerable people are in need of support.

The farm is not a specialised treatment farm, rather it remains a typical working farm where people in need of support can build relationships and take part in day-to-day farm activities in a non-clinical environment. The purpose of Social Farming is to support people in living ordinary lives, interacting with their community and developing their potential.

The development of occupational and life skills from undertaking farm-based activities often benefit participants and can lead towards gainful employment.

Last year, we provided funding of €400,000 to Leitrim Integrated Development Company towards the development of the national Social Farming Network (Social Farming Ireland).

The funding provided by my Department to Leitrim Integrated Development Company is allocated towards the cost of administrative overheads including staffing of the National Office and the Regional Development Officers, training of farmers and other stakeholders and early stage social farming placements.

In addition, my Department provided funding for the development of the following social farming model projects:

• Leitrim Integrated Development Company CLG – for the provision of a Social Farming Model Project where social farming is mainstreamed as an option for people accessing supports across a range of sectors and services and where placements are fully commissioned.
• Down Syndrome Irl (Cork Branch) – to provide opportunities for participation in a purpose-built farm, the Field of Dreams with horticulture and animal care elements which will bring long lasting wellness benefits to participants.
• South Kerry Development Partnership – for a Social Farming Model Project which will increase participant and host farmers engagement so that the social farming opportunity is available to more people in Kerry and to offer choice to people with disabilities to engage with farm families in meeting their personal life choices.
• IRD Duhallow – for a Social Farming model project which will promote rehabilitation, social inclusion, training and improved quality of life in a non-clinical setting using agriculture including plants and animals for people across a wide spectrum of disability.