Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:13. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on social farming in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34763/23]
View answerThursday, 13 July 2023
Questions (13)
Written answers
Social farming is the practice of offering farming and horticultural participation in a farming environment as a choice to people who avail of a range of therapeutic day support services. These operations are run in a number of settings ranging from working family farms, local community initiatives through to more institutional frameworks.
Last year, my Department provided funding of €400,000 under the Rural Innovation & Development Fund to Leitrim Integrated Development Company towards the development of the National Social Farming Network (Social Farming Ireland). Social Farming Ireland provides a wide range of services and initiatives which support the development of social farming nationally including dissemination of information, farmer engagement / recruitment, training and development, working with health, social care and other services to activate social farming placements.
The Social Farming Ireland network has some 150 registered social farms to deliver support to people with at least one farm in every county. In excess of 600 people have been trained by Leitrim Development in the principles and practices of Social Farming. In 2022 alone, 6,867 placement days were delivered. The range of services with whom Social Farming Ireland is working is growing and reaches across many sectors where vulnerable people are in need of support.
My Department has also provided funding for the development of the following social farming model projects:
• 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) – to provide opportunities for participation in a purpose-built farm - the Field of Dreams - with horticulture and animal care elements which will bring long lasting wellness benefits to participants.
• South Kerry Development Partnership – for a Social Farming Model Project which will 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 – for a Social Farming model project which will promote 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.
I fully recognise and support the significance of social farming and the many benefits it brings for rural communities and for disadvantaged groups who are availing of a range of health service supports. Accordingly, a similar level of funding will be provided by my Department this year for the extension of all of the above contracts.