The Minister for Finance, Jack Chambers has announced that the farm safety relief accelerated capital allowance (ACA) for farm safety items will be extended under Budget 2025.
The measure incentivises the purchase of farm safety equipment, which protects farmers and machinery operators from serious and fatal injuries.
The measure currently allows for financial contribution to participating farmers for new quad helmets and PTO shaft covers, covering 60% of the eligible cost.
A farmer can submit more than one claim, subject to the limit set out in the terms and conditions. However, participants must have submitted a Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) application in 2024 to be eligible to apply.
Records show that, over the past decade, there were on average 19 fatal incidents on Irish farms each year, accounting for more than two in five of all workplace fatalities.
In addition, Teagasc research on farm safety has revealed that there are approximately 4,500 non-fatal incidents each year on Irish farms, some of which result in lifechanging injuries.
On announcing details of Budget 2025 today, Minister Chambers said that agriculture and the agri-food sector is of “vital importance” for the economy in the country.
“This sector is embedded in our communities and wider society. Irish farmers play an important role in providing high quality food domestically and for export and are highly regarded for quality produce and farming methods,” Minister Chambers said.
The minister also said that he was aware that there has been “income instability” in the farming sector in general, and the dairy sector more specifically.
He said he was keen to advance an income volatility measure to support the farming sector for consideration in advance of next year’s budget.