A three-week extension has been announced for applications under the Farm Safety Measure 2026, which provides grant aid for the purchase of power take-off (PTO) covers. The new deadline is Friday 27 November 2026.
In announcing the extension, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for forestry, farm safety and horticulture Niall Collins said: “I am extending the deadline for making expressions of interest and for submitting applications for payment by three weeks to Friday 27 November 2026.
"There is machinery on farms around the country with defective or missing PTO shaft covers that present a major safety risk.
"I urge all farmers to take a few minutes over the next few days to check the condition of PTO shaft covers on farm machinery and, where damaged or missing, to avail of this measure to have them replaced.”
Grant aid
This measure provides 60% grant aid up to a maximum eligible cost of €100 for up to four PTO shaft covers.
To apply for the measure, a farmer or Farm Advisory System-approved (FAS) adviser must first submit an expression of interest before purchasing PTO shaft covers.
Once an expression of interest has been submitted, the application for payment (claim) can be submitted once the covers are purchased. It must be submitted no later than Friday 27 November 2026.
Farmers are reminded that receipts must confirm that the PTO shaft covers meet the quality standards set out in the terms and conditions.
For further information on the National Farm Safety Measure 2026, visit www.gov.ie/farmsafety. Any queries regarding the scheme should be directed to farmsafetymeasure@agriculture.gov.ie.
Farm fatalities
The minister highlighted that in the 10-year period 2016 to 2025, farm vehicles and machinery accounted for almost half of the 177 fatal incidents on farms.
In the last three years, entanglement in PTOs has resulted in two fatalities on Irish farms.
Minister Collins added: “Most, if not all, safety incidents on farms are preventable. By assessing the risks and taking the necessary steps, fatal and non-fatal incidents can be prevented.
"Ensuring that protective guards, including PTO shaft covers, are in place and keeping tractors and machinery well maintained are critical when it comes to reducing the number of fatal and life-changing incidents involving farm vehicles and machinery.”
