Successful applicants for the Farm Safety Scheme are now being notified by the Department, with approvals are being issued as cases are being cleared.

Some 6,299 applications for aid were received before the final closing date in January. However, the Department could not confirm to the Farmers Journal how many approvals have been issued so far. A total of €12.2m has been allocated to this scheme

Speaking in the Dáil this week in response to a parliamentary question asked by Fianna Fáil TD Éamon Ó Cuív Zoom, Minister Simon Coveney also confirmed there would be a new Farm Safety Scheme in 2015.

"Separately, my Department will be including a Farm Safety Leaflet in the information packs being issued to over 130,000 farmers shortly," he said. "The Department will also be using its text messaging service to issue safety messages to farmers at critical times of the year.

"Statistics show that accidents on farms cause more workplace deaths than all other occupations combined," Minister Coveney added. "It is important for everyone to continually highlight the need for farmers to think safety first in all tasks they perform - simple behavioural changes may be all that it takes to save a life."