Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
1947. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions he has taken and will take to address mental health and the impact of isolation and loneliness on farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34034/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive provides a wide range of community and hospital based mental health services in Ireland and can be contacted at 1850 24 1850.
While my Department does not have any direct provisions for mental health in the various farm schemes it operates, it does however provide on-going initiatives which would indirectly alleviate mental health related pressures for individuals and farm families alike.
For example, in order to assist families who have suffered a sudden loss or serious illness, and who may not have experience in dealing with the type of day to day issues that might bring them in contact with the Department in relation to schemes and services, a single point of contact has been established in the Department’s Inheritance Enquiry Unit. Every assistance and guidance possible will be provided to make contact/dealings with the Department as easy and as straightforward as possible for the family or legal representatives.
Contact details for the Service are as follows:
Phone: 0761 064428
E-mail: inheritance@agriculture.gov.ie
Teagasc provide a Tragic Event Service for Family Farms (TESFF) to offer support to farm families. In the aftermath of tragic events on farms leading to death or serious injury, advisors will offer their support without additional cost to affected families. The key areas of support are as follows.
- Technical support to ensure that the family can make the critical management decisions in time and ensure that the farm can continue to operate at a reasonable level of performance.
- Farm Financial Business support in dealing with bankers, accountants and Revenue.
- Support in working with my Department in relation to the various Schemes and Services available to ensure that the farm continues to participate in and receive its entitlements under various schemes.
- Structural Changes to assist the farm family stabilise the farm so that it can function effectively, this may mean changing the system of farming, scaling down or employing additional hired labour.
To avail of the service farm families should contact their local Teagasc office.
Social support has been shown to both alleviate mental distress and help solve farming problems. I would urge all farmers to stay in contact with a health professional through having a regular health check-up and seek professional help when any health issues, mental or physical, arise.
