A two-week extension to the deadline for applications under the National Farm Safety Measure has been announced by Minister of State with special responsibility for Farm Safety, Martin Heydon.
The minister said he is extending the deadline for making expressions of interest and for submitting applications for payments until November 15.
The original deadline was November 1.
Minister Heydon said the deadline extension would give farmers more time to purchase power take-off (PTO) shaft covers and submit their claims under the scheme.
To apply for the measure, a farmer or advisor approved under the Farm Advisory System (FAS) must submit an expression of interest before investing in PTO shaft covers.
Once an expression of interest has been submitted, the application for payment (claim) must be submitted not later than November 15.
The minister highlighted the serious risk which are presented to machinery operators by unguarded or poorly-protected PTO shafts.
“There are PTO shafts on Irish farms with covers that do not provide protection to machinery operators. Entanglement in power-take off shafts has resulted in fatalities and life-changing injuries,” he said.
“I urge all farmers to check the PTO shaft covers on equipment and replace any of which are defective or missing.”
The measure provides a financial contribution to participating farmers covering 60% of the eligible cost up to a maximum of four PTO shaft covers.
Farmers should note that receipts must confirm that the PTO shaft covers meet the quality standards set out in the terms and conditions of the scheme.
Other conditions include:
- Participants must have submitted a Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) application in 2024 to be eligible to apply;
- Only the PTO shaft cover is eligible for grant aid. The receipt must show the costs of the PTO shaft and the PTO shaft cover separately;
- PTO shaft covers must meet the requirements of the European Standards, and the ‘CE’ mark must be clearly visible on the PTO shaft cover;
- To qualify for payment for PTO shaft covers, the PTO must be fitted to a PTO-powered agricultural implement under the participant’s control;
- Farmers who applied for grant aid under the 2023 measure are also eligible to apply. However, an expression of interest must be submitted for the 2024 measure;
- Only PTO shaft covers invoiced and paid for on or after the date of submission of an expression of interest are eligible for the scheme.