Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 July 2015
12. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the operation of the new farm safety scheme; the number of applications under the scheme; his plans for reinforcing safety as opportunities are taken to grow and develop Irish farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26099/15]
View answerFarm safety is one of the most important issues facing farming today. Statistics show that accidents on farms cause more workplace deaths than all other occupations combined. Last year was a particularly difficult year with 30 deaths on Irish farms and already there have been eight fatal farm accidents in 2015.
The Farm Safety Scheme, with a budget of €12.2m, was open for applications between the 22 October 2014 and the 9 January 2015. During this time 6,299 applications were received. As of last Friday 26 June, 4,618 applications had been approved, with an average of 4 items per approval. The most common items approved to date are head-scoops to prevent cattle from moving their heads while in a crush, and yard lights. These two items are included in 46% and 43% of approvals respectively.
Of the remaining applications, over 800 are ineligible and the others are being processed as quickly as possible, allowing for issues that have been queried with farmers.
All work must be completed and a payment claim lodged with the Department by the 31st August 2015.
While the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has primary responsibility for Health and Safety on farms, I am fully supportive of their work and my Department are active members of the Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee. Looking forward, investment in farm safety will continue to be a priority for my Department. Under the new Animal Welfare, Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme the full range of items available under existing Farm Safety Scheme will continue to be supported, along with an increased range of fixed safety items, such as fixed cattle crushes. This scheme will be launched over the summer as part of the TAMS II round of on-farm investment schemes, funded under the 2014-2020 Rural Development Plan.
In addition, as part of all of the new TAMS Schemes it will be mandatory for all applicants to have completed a minimum half-day farm safety course before they can claim grant-aid.
Further, there are ‘Health and Safety’ guidelines in all ‘Building Specifications,’ drawn up by my Department for the construction of agricultural buildings and structures. These specifications set out the minimum standard to which grant-aided structures must be completed and are freely available to all farmers undertaking construction works.
In addition to the grant-aid schemes, there will be a mandatory Health and Safety element included in all Knowledge Transfer Groups under the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme. These groups will directly engage in the region of 27,000 farmers with farm safety.
