Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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946. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to prioritise improvements in farm safety, health and well-being; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24448/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Farm safety, health and well-being is a priority for this Government. There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to continue to prioritise improvements in farm safety, health and well-being through strengthened supports, with a specific focus in on farmer mental health and well-being.

Through dedicated funding of €2.5 million allocated in Budget 2025, my Department will continue to implement existing and new initiatives, building on previous efforts to improve farm safety, health and well-being.

One example of such initiatives is the farmers physical and mental health awareness programme ‘On Feirm Ground 2’ which my Department is co-funding along with the Health Service Executive and the Department of Health.

Last year, I supported 20 farm safety, health and well-being projects under an Open Call. My colleague, Michael Healy-Rae T.D., Minister of State with special responsibility for farm safety and I recently launched an open call for proposals for farm safety, health and well-being projects to be delivered this year.

Earlier this year, the Health and Safety Authority’s (HSA) ‘Guidance on Managing Fatigue with Farm Work’ booklet was distributed in the 2025 BISS packs to over 125,000 farmers.

Additionally, my Department provided funding to Agri Aware for the delivery of its farm safety awareness programme for primary and second level students. My Department is currently finalising an eTender for the provision of Children’s and Young Person’s Farm Safety Awareness Initiatives.

In partnership with the HSA, my Department delivered media campaigns this year focusing on farmer fatigue and safety around livestock whilst I am also supporting research into farmer mental health. Examples of projects include the DCU-led FarMHealth Research Project and the UCD-led Farming Minds project.

Farm safety, health and well-being is a priority for me and my colleague Minister Healy-Rae. This Government will continue to invest in supporting the safety, health and well-being of farmers, and everyone working and living on farms.