Teagasc to Study Impact of Disability at Farm Level

Teagasc has initiated a study to examine the impact of disability among farmers in Ireland. This initiative follows recent CSO data, which shows that the agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors report the highest level of disability relative to any other.

The study will be undertaken by Shane Whelan who was awarded a prestigious Teagasc Walsh Fellowship to conduct his disability research and it will be carried out at University College Dublin (UCD) under the direction of Dr. Dermot Ruane, UCD, and David Meredith, Teagasc.

Shane Whelan comes from a farming background in Co. Wicklow and decided to conduct the study after he became aware of a number of farmers in his home area who acquired a disability.

"I know disability can have a huge impact on the lives of the farmer and their family. This has motivated me to study what supports and services are required by farm families so that they can continue farming and generally make life that little bit easier," he said.

Disability is any condition that restricts a person's ability to perform certain tasks. There are a number of causes of disability among farmers, including farm and non-farm accidents or health related conditions. These conditions could include arthritis, heart problems, back pain, strokes, M.S., farmers lung, amputations, diabetes or spinal cord injuries.

Many of these conditions are common among farmers but their impact on the farm and farm business remains unknown.

Shane Whelan would gratefully appreciate making contact with any farmer who reports a disability, to address issues that they might have at a practical level. If you require further information, or are interested in participating in this study please contact Shane at 087 6739212 or email: shane.g.whelan@ucd.ie.