Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

174. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on his work in relation to social farming. [66739/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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

Funding of €1.277m is allocated in 2025 for Social Farming which allows my Department to support Social farming through its Rural Innovation and Development Fund (RIDF). Budget 2026 has recently confirmed that this funding will continue into 2026.

There are two funding streams in the RIDF dedicated to Social Farming.

The first stream is focused on the development of a national network to support and co-ordinate social farming nationally. The primary aim of this network is to expand and develop social farming nationally by increasing the number of host farms, participants, placement days and service providers engaged in social farming.

The second funding element is focused on the development of model social farming projects. These projects aim to provide the best social farming experience for the participants who can avail of the service. The projects’ goals are to foster inclusion, build self-esteem and improve health and well-being for the participants. There are currently four model projects across the country:

• 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 Ireland (Cork Branch) – which provides opportunities for participation in a purpose-built farm - the Field of Dreams - with horticulture and animal care elements which brings long lasting wellness benefits and employment opportunities to participants.
• South Kerry Development Partnership – for a Social Farming Model Project which aims to 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 – A Social Farming model project which promotes 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.