Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020
44. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports provided by his Department to enhance the education of agricultural advisers in the areas of farmer mental health and well-being; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33507/20]
View answerI am happy to announce that my Department is co-funding, with the HSE and the Department of Health, a farmers physical and mental health awareness package entitled ‘On Feirm Ground’ under the auspices of the ENGAGE National Men’s Health Training programme. This programme was launched on the 19th October this year.
The ‘On Feirm Ground’ programme has developed a 'Train the Trainer' programme for delivery nationally to those employed as farm advisors and those who are in regular contact with farmers and agricultural workers. The target is to deliver the programme to 800 farm advisors over approximately a two year period. The programme is being rolled out in conjunction with both the Agricultural Consultants Association and Teagasc. This comprehensive 1-day training aims to increase participants’ understanding of best practice in engaging farmers with health programmes and services and was developed against a backdrop of: (i) poorer health outcomes and health behaviours among farmers; (ii) farmers under-utilisation of certain health programmes and services; (iii) challenges from service providers’ perspectives in engaging farmers; and (iv) increasing evidence in support of more gender-sensitive or ‘farmer-friendly’ approaches.
