Figures show Donegal was at the lower end of farm inspections in 2024

Donegal had 27 farm inspections in 2024, bringing the number over the last four years to 75.

Donegal has had seven in both 2021 and 2022, then 24 in 2023. A total of 1171 inspections were carried out in farms across the country last year, with plentiful inspections in Cork (170), Limerick (163), Tipperary (161), Kerry (103) and Cavan (87).

At the lower end of the scale, there was one inception in both Dublin and Waterford, two in Longford, three in Carlow and four apiece in Wicklow and Clare.

Over the four-year period, Donegal has the 19th highest amount of inspections in the 26 counties, with 75. Neighboring counties Leitrim had 38 last year and 141 since 2021, Sligo totted up 40 in 2024 and 97 over four years and Monaghan clocked 22 in the year just ended and 137 in all.

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At the top of the scale, Cork, in those four years, amassed 632, Tipperary 364, Cavan 343, Limerick 230 and Kerry 208. The full table is available here

Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment at the time about the number of farm safety inspections that had taken place in each county over the past three years.

Emer Quinn answered: “Farming continues to be one of the most dangerous sectors in which to work".

"The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) continues rolling out its Farm Safety Action Plan 2021- 2024 which aims to reduce the level of fatalities, serious injuries and ill health in the agriculture sector. The Plan focuses on high-risk activities, particularly around the use of tractors and other farm vehicles, livestock handling and working at height. It also aims to improve farmer skill levels around risk identification and management.

The Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee was established to involve industry stakeholders in improving occupational safety and health in agriculture.