HSA: 12 children died in work-related accidents on farms since 2015
A total of 12 children have died in work-related accidents on farms in the 10-year period from 2015 to 2024, according to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).
The authority also confirmed that there have been no fatal workplace accidents on farms involving children in either 2024 or 2025.
A question in relation to this issue was raised by Cork North-Central Labour TD, Eoghan Kenny to Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon.
Deputy Kenny asked Minister Heydon whether his department had "given any consideration to initiating a formal and nationwide farm safety awareness seminar in all primary schools".
Deputy Kenny said: "A total of 17 children have died in farm-related incidents between 2014 and 2023, and accounting for the fact that 42% of all primary schools are based in rural areas."
Minister Heydon's response highlighted farm safety, health and wellbeing as a "priority for this government".
The minister said: "Through dedicated funding of €2.5m, my department is continuing to implement existing and new initiatives to improve farm safety, health, and wellbeing.
"Children and young people are particularly vulnerable on farms as the workplace surrounds the family home.
"Building on the success of programmes delivered in Irish schools in recent years, the successful initiatives will promote a lifelong culture of farm safety.
"They will help address children’s and young people’s safety on Irish farms by assisting primary and secondary school teachers in educating their students about the potential dangers associated with farming and agriculture."
Minister Heydon added that the farm safety awareness initiatives "will be available nationwide to all primary and secondary schools",
To help promote farm safety among children, Teagasc recently launched a new initiative, 'Stay Safe with Jessy', a farm safety art competition and webinar.
The live webinar was held on June 19 in Teagasc Oakpark, hosted by Alison Moloney of Teagasc; Francis Bligh, Teagasc farm safety specialist; and 'Jessy' the sheepdog.
The event also went live to St. Joseph's National School in Rathwire, Co. Westmeath, where Alma Jordon from Agrikids discussed farm safety with students in the school.
Francis Bligh said: “Farms can be dangerous places, especially for children.
"Through this campaign, we highlighted the main dangers and risks on farms, and how to avoid them, and stay safe.”
The idea behind 'Jessy' the sheepdog was originally developed as a book in 2007 by the late Lily Nolan of Teagasc and the HSA.
The storyline in the original book follows a dog called Jessy and her three puppies as they encounter various dangers on the farm.
