Written Answers Nos. 578-591
578. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the internships, apprenticeships and graduate schemes run by his Department and public bodies under the aegis of his Department. [35479/23]
View answerThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine welcomes students to take part in internships and to avail of work experience throughout our divisions and subdivisions. With opportunities available in administrative, laboratory and technical Divisions, my Department facilitates the assignment of students within the division which is relevant to their area of study. All students are mentored by experienced members of staff.
Placements are facilitated within IT business areas, supporting the development of students undertaking IT degree courses.
The Department Laboratories accept 3rd year students for internship placements along with a small number of 4th year students, facilitating their project work within the Laboratory Divisions.
The Department also engages veterinary and agricultural students for professional work experience placements and liaises with educational institutions on their placements. Across the range of Third Level Institutions offering the Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree (NFQ Level 8) programme, there is a Professional Work Experience component for which students receive academic credit. My Department provides a number of placement opportunities for undergraduate students in these courses, providing students with valuable work experience. Specifically for students in UCD’s Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine course my department provides a number of placement opportunities across various veterinary and laboratory based divisions.
In collaboration with other Civil Service colleagues, my Department has worked on the development of a Pilot Civil Service Internship Programme to provide employment opportunities for members of the Traveller and Roma communities. Recruitment for this programme, which was led by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) and the Department of Justice commenced in early 2023 and two participants from this internship programme are currently in roles in my Department.
Further, along with Civil Service colleagues, my Department participates in the Civil Service ICT Apprenticeship programme. This programme combines work-based learning with a formal training programme. Participants work as a full-time member of staff, being released to attend a structured training programme with the training provider. The apprenticeship is for a two-year period and those who successfully achieve all programme elements will obtain a Quality and Qualification Ireland (QQI) Advanced Certificate Award placed at Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). In addition, those who successfully complete the two-year apprenticeship will be given the opportunity to continue to develop their digital and ICT career as an ICT Specialist at Executive Officer level in a Civil Service Department or Office.
My Department is committed to promoting and maintaining an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees and is a long-time supporter of providing employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. My Department has participated for many years in the Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) Programme. This programme provides a six-month paid and mentored work placement for graduates with a disability. In the last few years, the Department has increased the number of placements it has made available under the WAM programme. Many former participants of the programme have gone on to secure permanent employment in the Civil Service.
Following the launch of the Oireachtas Work Learning programme (OWL) by the Ceann Comhairle in September 2018, my Department has collaborated with the Houses of the Oireachtas to provide learning opportunities for trainees on this programme. The OWL programme is a learning, development and socialisation programme for young adults with an intellectual disability. The programme aims to provide a real and applied learning experience to the participants in a safe and secure work environment, to support them in developing the skills which will lead them to access paid employment in the open labour market.
A confined recruitment competition for permanent part time posts across the Civil and Public Sector for graduates from the OWL programme took place in December 2021. This competition, which was supported by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) was confined to OWL graduates who had completed the 2019/2020 OWL programme.
Many of the graduates were successful in securing permanent employment in the Civil Service and I am delighted to say that we welcomed one of the OWL graduates to a permanent post in my Department in June 2022.
Guided by the Governments ambitious 'Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025' my Department is in the inception stages of exploring the development of an apprenticeship programme for Technical Agricultural Officers.
The question of participation in such programmes and schemes within the State Agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter and I will ask the Agencies to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
579. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has provided the European Commission with the information requested on 21 June 2023 regarding the State-aid application for new Forestry Programme; if he will advise when that information was or will be submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35499/23]
View answerI would like to assure the Deputy that the receipt of formal State Aid approval and the launch of the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 is a matter of the utmost priority for my colleagues. My Department has engaged closely with the EU Commission, responding comprehensively to the many issues raised by the Commission. As you will be aware, a comprehensive and well-subscribed Forestry Programme has the potential to deliver lasting benefits for climate change, biodiversity, wood production, economic development and quality of life.
580. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 159 of 5 July 2023; if he has engaged with an organisation (details supplied) on the concerns it has raised about the TAMS woman farmer capital investment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35500/23]
View answerIn excess of 28 submissions from members of Women in Agriculture Stakeholders Group were received during consultation and planning stage of the CSP.
Submissions from all interested parties were examined prior to devising a scheme to include a broad range of applicants and investments.
A meeting between my officials and members of the Women in Agriculture Stakeholders Group was held on 17 May 2023.
Webinars relating to TAMS 3 have taken place, including one specifically for the Women Farmer's Capital Investment Scheme on 19 June 2023. My officials invited the Members of the Women in Agriculture Stakeholders Group to make an address at this webinar and the members obliged.
All webinars are recorded and are available for viewing on my Department's website channel.
The Women Farmer's Capital Investment Scheme in TAMS 3 opened to applicants on 21 June 2023.
The new CAP places a particular focus on generational renewal and on promoting the participation of women in the social and economic development of rural areas, with special attention to farming. Gender equality is also a key objective of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and a priority for me as Minister.
TAMS 3 provides for a general grant rate of 40% for eligible investments. It is also offering an enhanced grant rate of 60% to eligible women farmers, who meet the eligibility criteria.
Eligible women farmers are those:
• Aged between 18 years of age and 66 when she applies for support.
• Meet the conditions for being head and having control of the holding.
• Meets the requirements for the appropriate training and/or skills required at the time of applications.
The women farming measure under TAMS 3 aims to balance the need to address the issues of both generational renewal and gender balance in farming, following consultation with all interested parties.
581. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is a funding total available for the TAMS woman farmer capital investment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35501/23]
View answerA suite of ten schemes are available under TAMS 3. Nine of these schemes were launched under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and are co-funded under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). With the final Scheme Women Farmers Capital Investment Scheme launched under CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027.
These schemes were launched between 22 February 2023 and 21 June 2023 and the first tranche closed on 30 June 2023, with the Tranche 2 opening on 1 July.
TAMS 3 has an indicative budget of €370m. As TAMS is a demand led scheme it is not possible to allocate a budget to each of the ten schemes individually,
582. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether the claim by an organisation (details supplied) that the annual horse and greyhound racing fund is financed by betting tax income whereas football is not, is accurate; whether this is going to be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35525/23]
View answerThe horse and greyhound racing industries receive financial support from the State through the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund (the Fund) under Section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001. The Fund is distributed in accordance with Section 12(6) of the Act, with 80% going to Horse Racing Ireland and 20% to Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ).
The initial funding model for the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund provided that the Fund would each year be financed by an amount equal to the revenue from excise duty on off-course betting in the preceding year or the year 2000 increased by reference to the Consumer Price Index, whichever was greater (section 12(4) of the Act). This formula applied for the years 2001-2008.
Since 2009 the decision on the proposed annual amount to be allocated to the Fund is made in the context of the budgetary process (estimates allocation). There are currently no plans to change this process.
583. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he continues to encourage compliance to meet emission reduction targets while at the same time ensuring that the agri-food industry is not damaged, given the prospect of world food shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35527/23]
View answerIreland is one of the most food secure countries in the world. In fact, Ireland has come second of 113 countries assessed for food security, according to the latest Global Food Security Index.
The issue of maintaining food production has been the subject of much discussion in the context of the Government's economy-wide target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030. My position has been consistent- each sector, including agriculture, will need to play its part to achieve this target.
The Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine have a number of policies and strategies in place to ensure Agriculture plays its role in meeting the national climate targets by 2030 and 2050, while continuing to sustainably produce food and feed. The Food Vision 2030 Strategy sets out a pathway to become a world leader in Sustainable Food Systems over the next decade. Food security, food safety and nutrition are key components of Sustainable Food Systems.
The Food Vision 2030 Strategy will deliver significant benefits for the Irish agri-food sector itself, for Irish society and the environment. In demonstrating the Irish agri-food sector meets the highest standards of sustainability – economic, environmental, and social – this will also provide the basis for the future competitive advantage of the sector. By adopting an integrated food systems approach, Ireland will seek to become a global leader of innovation for sustainable food and agriculture systems, producing safe, nutritious, and high-value food that tastes great, while protecting and enhancing our natural and cultural resources and contributing to vibrant rural and coastal communities and the national economy.
584. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the future of the dairy industry here, with particular reference to the need to reduce carbon emissions while at the same time ensuring the development of the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35528/23]
View answerI remain confident that the outlook for the Irish dairy Industry remains positive - the long-term fundamentals of the dairy sector are really strong. We produce safe, nutritious and sustainable dairy products that are in demand across the globe.
The Irish dairy industry is one of our largest and most profitable industries. In 2022, Irish farmers produced over 8.8 billion litres of milk, an increase of 0.7% on 2021. Irish dairy exports reached almost €7 billion in value in 2022; we exported over 1.6 million tonnes of dairy products to over 130 different countries, making dairy the largest food and drink export category. Strong market returns across the core categories of butter, cheese, and powders, coupled with diversification efforts into new markets, have led to a sustained increase in value.
Climate action is a priority across for our country as a whole. Irish dairy farmers and the dairy industry are no less conscious than other sectors of society of the need to play their part in driving down emissions. The sector came together last year in the Food Vision Dairy Group with the first priority of the Group to chart a pathway to achieving the legally binding target of a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture by 2030, set in mid-2022 through the Climate Act process.
The report of this Group published in October 2022, identified a number of measures which will contribute directly to emissions reductions associated with dairy production including reducing chemical fertiliser use; replacement of ammonium-based fertiliser with protected urea; development of methane-mitigating feed technologies and breeding strategies.
The publication was timely as it then served to inform the Climate Action Plan 2023 which was launched in December 2022. The implementation roadmap for actions outlined in the Plan is contained in a supplementary annex of actions which was published in March.
My Department will work collaboratively with all other Departments and agencies involved to implement these priority actions.
585. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the future of the beef industry here, with particular reference to the need to reduce carbon emissions while at the same time ensuring the development of the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35529/23]
View answerI am satisfied that the Irish beef sector is well positioned to balance future development with the need for reduced carbon emissions.
Beef farm enterprises contribute significantly to the economic sustainability and social fabric of rural areas. Food Vision 2030, the overarching agri-food strategy, contains several actions to guide stakeholder efforts in the sustainable development of the beef sector.
These include recognising the suckler herd as a key agricultural asset, supporting dairy calf-to-beef systems, and continuing to improve cattle breeding strategies by focusing on the contribution of genomics to environmental and economic efficiency.
Earlier this year, I announced the opening of vital new suckler and beef support schemes worth €265m. The Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme targets bovine emissions through enhanced use of genetics, genomics and performance metrics. It will improve the environmental and productive efficiency of the national suckler herd and enhance the reputation of Irish beef on the global stage. The National Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme will improve calf health and welfare while facilitating the further integration of the beef and dairy production systems. I also announced funding for a major genotyping programme for Irish cattle, run through a strategic public-private partnership model.
Irish beef exports continue to compete effectively in overseas markets. According to the CSO, Irish beef exports averaged over 500,000 tonnes in the period 2018 to 2022 and were worth, on average, €2.5 billion annually.
To continue ongoing collaboration with stakeholders, I established the Food Vision Beef and Sheepmeat Group last year to advance the actions identified in the overall strategy, taking account of the requirement for those sectors to contribute to achieving the targets set for agriculture emissions in the Climate Act process.
The group submitted its report on mitigating emissions from the sector in November 2022, which has been published on my Department’s website. The report identified direct and enabling measures which could contribute to reducing emissions. The publication was timely as it served to inform the Climate Action Plan 2023, which was published in December 2022, and its annex of actions published in March 2023.
Putting the beef sector on a more sustainable footing is a key priority of mine. Working collaboratively with relevant stakeholders and across government, I believe that we can build a more resilient beef sector for the current and future generations of farmers.
586. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he and his Department continue to encourage the fishing industry, with particular reference to ensuring that the industry here can compete with all others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35530/23]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that my Department constantly monitors the needs of the fisheries sector. I will be meeting next with industry representatives on 19th July. Along with regularly meeting with representatives of the sector, holding formal consultations and attending public forums, we monitor developments in key economic indicators. My Department prepares and publishes an Annual Review and Outlook (ARO), which provides up-to-date information and statistical analysis from a variety of sources, to give a detailed overview of Ireland’s agri-food sector and an outlook for the future. The most recent Annual Review and Outlook report was published in November 2022.
I established the Seafood Sector Taskforce in March 2021 to examine the impacts of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement on our fishing sector and coastal communities and to make recommendations to me on a mitigation strategy. I received the Report of the Seafood Task Force in October 2021 and, based on its recommendations, I have announced over €271 million in supports and development strategies to date.
Included in the schemes announced to date are short term supports and longer-term restructuring initiatives for the fishing fleet, capital supports for both processing and aquaculture sectors, funding for entrepreneurial initiatives in coastal communities and investment in marine infrastructure. Combined, these schemes contribute to sustaining employment in the seafood sector as a whole, providing new career opportunities and ensuring those transitioning within the sector are supported.
In addition to the measures recommended by the Task Force, my Department’s €240 million European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Programme 2014-20 has been operating since 2016, supporting the sustainable development of our seafood sector. The Programme is now coming to an end and will be succeeded by the new Seafood Development Programme under EMFAF 2021-27 which was adopted by the European Commission in December 2022. The new €258 million programme will continue the provision of a wide range of financial supports to fisheries, aquaculture and seafood processing enterprises and to enterprises, groups and individuals in coastal communities. These will include supports for capital investment, innovation, professional advisory services and marketing.
Despite the challenges, Ireland’s fishing industry has remained resilient. BIM's Business of Seafood report for 2022, published in April 2023, indicates that the value of the overall Irish seafood sector increased by 13% to €703 million, while the overall value of Irish aquaculture products increased by 10% to €196 million.
I can assure the Deputy that this Government is committed to addressing the challenges facing our seafood sector and I continue to pursue all opportunities to increase the fishing opportunities for Ireland’s fishing fleet.
587. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the various export markets for Irish food and food products have been examined with a view to ensuring their continuity, stability and the need to ensure the availability of sufficient food and food products in the face of worldwide shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35531/23]
View answerThe current geo-political environment and challenges presented by Brexit, the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine have created uncertainty on the international markets that Irish agri-food exports depend. My Department closely monitors these developments on an ongoing basis and is supporting the sector in addressing these challenges. For example, the Government has introduced a number of financial supports to support the agri-food sector in the face of Brexit and COVID impacts over recent years.
At a strategic level, Food Vision 2030 sets out a clear ambition to grow the value of Irish exports over the next ten years. This ambition will be realised by implementing actions that are focused on market diversification as well as investment in innovation at producer and processor level, which will drive the competitiveness of Ireland's agri-food offering on international markets. All of this will be underpinned by a food systems approach that has sustainability in all its dimensions - economic, social and environmental - at its core.
I believe that the well-established - and ongoing - commitment of the Government, in partnership with the agri-food sector, to this approach has ensured that Irish agri-food exports have continued to grow, despite recent geo-political shocks. There is a global demand for sustainably produced, high quality food, and I believe that Ireland's agri-food sector is well placed to meet this demand and make a significant contribution to addressing global food security issues into the future.
588. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the future for Irish lamb remains attractive in both the export and domestic markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35532/23]
View answerI am very conscious of the important role that prime lamb production plays in the continued growth and development of our agri-food sector.
For that reason, my Department provides significant support to the sector under the new CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), both through the Sheep Improvement Scheme and through the broad range of CSP schemes for which sheep farmers are eligible.
The Sheep Improvement Scheme supports farmers carrying out actions that improve animal health and welfare, including through the targeted application of genomic technologies. Other CSP schemes such as the ACRES and Organic Farming schemes are particularly suited to sheep enterprises or mixed beef and sheep enterprises, and will provide higher direct payments to sheep farmers.
Additionally, I have supported livestock farmers in dealing with increased costs over the last year by introducing a fodder incentive scheme, a national liming programme and a package to encourage the sowing of multi-species swards and red clover.
Bolstered by these supports, Irish sheep farmers produce a safe, sustainable, high-quality product that is in demand across many global markets. Ireland exported sheep meat to over 30 markets last year, which is a mark of the world-class product produced on our farms.
Sheep production is a vital source of income for many farmers and provides the raw material for the export of over 66,000 tonnes of sheepmeat worth €453m last year. Imports during the same period amounted to 9,000 tonnes and were worth €59m.
Approximately 15% of the lamb produced in Ireland is consumed domestically, with the balance being exported. Bord Bia is intensifying its marketing and promotion of Irish lamb this year through its activities in domestic and export markets. For example, an additional lamb campaign in the domestic market focused in particular on attracting younger consumers to eating lamb. Further, television advertising campaigns from September to October will coincide with peak supply months. However, we must continue to look at the global picture, with sheep export markets remaining critical.
Over the past decade, the Department has agreed bilateral sheep meat export certificates for many international markets, most recently with Japan in 2019 and the US in 2022.
In that context, I will continue to support sheepmeat exports through work towards expanding market access and my Department's funding of Bord Bia’s marketing activities nationally and internationally.
589. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts ongoing by his Department to address issues around farmer mental health and wellbeing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35533/23]
View answerI thank the Deputy for this question on such an important topic.
This Government has prioritised farm safety, health and wellbeing. In 2023, dedicated funding of €2.5m was allocated for a range of initiatives that included support to promote increased awareness of the importance of health and wellbeing among farmers.
My Department, along with the HSE and the Department of Health, has co-funded a farmers physical and mental health awareness programme called ‘On Feirm Ground’. This programme is providing training for agricultural advisors to engage with and signpost farmers to supports in relation to health and wellbeing. Plans are currently being finalised to expand this programme to Department staff and other professionals who are in regular contact with farmers.
My Department is funding eight farm safety European Innovation Partnership projects to the value of €1.8m including four projects focused on farmers’ mental health. Additional funding was made available to extend these projects into 2023.
I have provided support for further research into farmer mental health. The DCU led FarmHealth Research Project is examining farmers mental health literacy and help-seeking behaviour to inform the development of an educational mental health intervention for farmers.
The most recent Thematic Research Call sought proposals on a range of research themes including proposals focusing on farmer’s safety, health and wellbeing. Proposals received under this call are currently being assessed.
The Department supports the work of the HSA’s Farm Safety Partnership and was involved in the publication of the “Farmers’ Health and Wellbeing - A Guide to Staying Healthy While Farming” booklet, which includes a section on coping with stress and minding your mental health. The booklet was included in the 2023 BISS packs issued to over 122,000 farmers.
As we fully recognise the unique set of pressures farmers are experiencing this Government will continue to invest in supporting the health and wellbeing of farmers and the rural communities in which they live.
590. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the issue of licenses in the forestry sector continues to receive attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35534/23]
View answerAs Deputies may be aware the new and ambitious €1.3bn Forestry Programme 2023-2027 will replace the previous Programme which expired at the end of 2022. The new Programme will benefit farmers, rural communities and the overall climate and environment. Subject to State Aid approval from the European Commission and the completion of the ongoing Strategic Environmental Assessment/Appropriate Assessment (SEA/AA) process, this will support the largest, most farmer-friendly investment in forestry in the history of the State.In recognition of the need for forestry activity to continue, and pending the launch of the new Programme, my Department engaged with the Commission last December to secure an interim solution which has led to the introduction of an Interim Afforestation Scheme, an Interim Forest Road Scheme and an interim Ash Dieback Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme via General De Minimis. This ensured that those with valid afforestation licences issued before the end of 2022 could avail of the current planting season under the higher grant and premium rates proposed under the new Programme. Likewise those with valid road licences and approvals under the Ash Dieback Scheme at the end of 2022 could avail of the higher grants and enhanced payment rates as proposed under the new Programme.So, looking at progress to date, extensive work has been undertaken by the Department in this area. A potential 7,000 hectares were eligible to opt into the interim Afforestation scheme and to date this year, a total of 288 applications have been approved under the interim Afforestation scheme (via general de minimis) representing 1,750 hectares. Under the interim roads scheme 126 approvals have issued representing 57,186 metres, while under the interim RUS scheme 23 approvals have issued for 83.75 hectares.
My Department has also delivered considerable reductions in the workload of all forestry licences as well as reductions in the time taken to process newer files. The issuing of felling licences by my Department is not affected by the engagement with the European Commission. Indeed, to date, 1,653 felling licences have issued from my Department, equating to 19,338 hectares. The volume of wood available from these licences amounts to 5,213,257m3. We have also issued nine non-grant aided afforestation licences and 74 non-grant aided road licences.
Not all schemes under the Programme require State Aid approval under the Guidelines and on 24 April 2023, under the Agricultural Block Exemption Regulation, my Department opened two schemes for applications, the Forest Roads Scheme and the Innovative Forest Technology Scheme – Module 2 Investment Aid for the Development of the Forest Tree Nursery Sector.Finally, there is obvious merit in signalling to forest owners, landowners, and the forest sector our intentions as regards licensing which is why I intend to publish a new Forestry Licensing Plan once the new Forestry Programme has been approved at national and EU levels. This should cover the remainder of 2023 while also indicating plans for 2024.
591. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which farm safety continues to be a major issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35535/23]
View answerFarm safety is a major issue as farming continues to be the most dangerous occupation in terms of fatalities in the workplace. There has been an average of 19 fatal incidents per year on Irish farms over the last decade. Unfortunately, this year to date, there have been seven confirmed fatalities on farms. All of these fatalities are tragic losses to farm families, the community and the sector.
Fatal incidents on farms account for over 40% of all workplace fatal incidents. Data from the Teagasc National Farm Survey also reveals that there are approximately 4,500 non-fatal incidents each year on Irish farms.
This Government has prioritised farm safety, health and wellbeing and my Department is implementing a series of initiatives using dedicated funding of €2.5m secured in Budget 2023. These initiatives promote farm safety practices and risk awareness and encourage behavioural change around farm safety from a young age, while also supporting those who have been impacted by fatal and non-fatal incidents.
My colleague, Minister Heydon recently launched the €1.5m National Farm Safety Measure 2023, which incentivises the purchase and use of quad bike helmets and PTO shaft covers. Other recent measures include the investment in agricultural machinery simulators and equine simulators for use in the agricultural colleges, the Acceleration of Wear and Tear Allowances for Farm Safety Equipment, farm safety training and joint promotional farm safety campaigns with the Health and Safety Authority.
I also launched the TAMS3 Farm Safety Capital Investment Scheme last month with a higher grant rate of 60% to support farmers to invest in more physical infrastructure on their farms to make them safer. The Scheme includes new investments which were not previously grant aided such as livestock monitoring cameras, horse loading bays, silage bale slicer with plastic remover.
My Department will continue to engage with all stakeholders to improve farm safety, health and wellbeing on our farms with an ambition of effecting change and supporting farmers and their families on this important issue.
