Responding to a parliamentary question, Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said that as of Friday 26 June, 4,618 applications have been approved for the Farm Safety Scheme, with an average of four items per approval.

The most common items approved to date are head-scoops to prevent cattle from moving their heads while in a crush, and yard lights. These two items are included in 46% and 43% of approvals respectively.

Of the remaining applications, over 800 are ineligible and the others are being processed as quickly as possible, allowing for issues that have been queried with farmers.

Looking forward, the Minister said investment in farm safety will continue to be a priority for his Department and under the new Animal Welfare, Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme the full range of items available under existing Farm Safety Scheme will continue to be supported, along with an increased range of fixed safety items. These extra items will include fixed cattle crushes.

The Animal Welfare, Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme is due to be launched over the summer as part of the TAMS II round of on-farm investment schemes.

The Minister added that as part of all of the new TAMS Schemes, it will be mandatory for all applicants to have completed a minimum half-day farm safety course before they can claim grant-aid.