Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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713. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update as of July 2025 in respect to the programme for Government commitment to place a specific focus on farmer mental health and well-being, recognising the unique challenges faced by the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37657/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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This Government is delivering on its commitment in the Programme for Government to continue to prioritise improvements in farm safety, health and wellbeing through strengthened supports, with a specific focus on farmer mental health and wellbeing.

I secured dedicated funding of €2.5 million in Budget 2025 to enable my Department to deliver a range of initiatives, including initiatives focusing on farmer mental health and wellbeing this year.

My colleague, Michael Healy-Rae T.D., Minister of State with special responsibility for Farm Safety and I recently announced the allocation of €1.68 million in funding for 40 farm safety, health and wellbeing projects under an open call. Over half of these projects include a focus on farmer's mental health and wellbeing.

My Department, in collaboration with the Department of Health and the HSE, is continuing to co-fund ‘On Feirm Ground 2’, a farmers physical and mental health awareness programme.

Earlier this year, my Department partnered with the Health and Safety Authority to deliver a media campaign focusing on farmer fatigue. My Department also funded the printing and distribution of the HSA’s ‘Guidance on Managing Fatigue with Farm Work’ in the 2025 BISS packs.

As part of the recent Department Thematic Research Call 2025, I sought proposals that focus on farmer’s safety, health and wellbeing including proposals focusing on enhancing farmer resilience. Applications received in response to this thematic call are currently being evaluated. Funding was provided for the UCD-led study “Farming Minds: Developing evidence-based interventions to enhance farmer mental health” in a previous Research Call.

Farm safety, health and wellbeing is a priority for this government. My colleague Minister Healy-Rae and I will continue to deliver initiatives to support the mental health and wellbeing of farmers.