Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020
61. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to establish an EIP for farm safety initiatives; the opportunities it will create; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33601/20]
View answerAs part of the package of new farm safety measures in Budget 2021, €1m in funding has been provided to support ‘locally-led’ farm safety initiatives. It is intended that a call under the locally led Innovation Partnership model (EIP’s) specifically related to farm safety will be issued by early 2021.
Before the call is issued, my Department will consult with the stakeholders regarding the potential focus of the call.
Given that fatal incidents on farms account for almost 50% of all workplace fatal incidents every year but agriculture accounts for only 6% of the overall workforce, it is simply not good enough to carry on as we have done to now. I see this initiative as a potential significant step to driving a cultural change amongst farmers and I look forward to seeing positive proposals to drive this change.
