Martin Heydon has announced €1.18 million in funding for 46 farm safety, health, and wellbeing projects across Ireland, as part of ongoing efforts to improve safety standards and support farmer welfare.
The funding, delivered through the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Open Call for Farm Safety, Health and Wellbeing Projects, was awarded following a competitive national selection process that attracted a high volume of applications from across the country.
The approved projects include a range of initiatives such as farmer health and wellbeing checks, livestock handling training, and tractor safety awareness programmes aimed at young people aged 14 and above. These initiatives are designed to reduce accident risks and improve awareness of safe farming practices.
Minister Heydon said the investment builds on previous years’ successes in addressing key safety risks on farms while also promoting both physical and mental wellbeing among farmers. He highlighted that over 5,700 farmer health checks have been completed since August 2024, reflecting growing engagement with preventative health services in rural communities.
The programme will also expand support services by introducing follow-up conversations with health professionals to encourage behavioural change after health checks. This aims to help farmers take practical steps toward improving long-term health outcomes.
In addition, training initiatives introduced under previous funding rounds have already reached more than 400 young people through tractor safety awareness courses and over 400 farmers through livestock handling training in 2025. The Minister noted that livestock and machinery remain among the leading causes of serious farm accidents, making continued education and training essential.
The Department of Agriculture confirmed that funding will continue to support projects focused on farm safety, physical and mental health, vision checks, chainsaw safety, working at heights, and support for older farmers. The initiative forms part of Ireland’s broader strategy to reduce farm-related incidents and improve wellbeing outcomes in the agricultural sector.
