Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 October 2023
251. 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 well-being; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47218/23]
View answerThe safety, health and wellbeing of farmers is a priority for this Government. This year, dedicated funding of €2.5m was allocated for a range of initiatives that included supports to promote increased awareness of mental health and wellbeing among farmers.
My Department, with the HSE and the Department of Health, is co-funding the ‘On Feirm Ground’ programme which equips farm advisers with the skills to engage with and signpost farmers to supports in relation to all areas of health and wellbeing. The new On Feirm Ground 2 programme, launched recently by my ministerial colleagues, Minister of State with responsibility for Farm Safety Martin Heydon, and Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Hildegarde Naughton, will be rolled out to private veterinary practitioners, Department staff and other professionals who work with farmers.
My Department also provided €1.8m in funding to eight farm safety European Innovation Partnership projects, including four projects that focused on farmers’ mental health. Additional funding was made available to extend these projects.
Furthermore, I provided support for 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 intervention for farmers. In the most recent Thematic Research Call, research proposals were sought on a range of themes including farmers safety, health and wellbeing. The successful proposals will be announced shortly.
My Department supports 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 was included in the 2023 BISS packs issued to over 122,000 farmers.
I want to reassure the Deputy that farm safety, health and wellbeing is a priority for me and my colleague, Minister of State Martin Heydon T.D, who has special responsibility in this area.
