Ireland Extends Deadline for Farm Grant on Tractor PTO Shaft Covers
Ireland's Minister of State for farm safety, Niall Collins, has extended by three weeks, to 27 November, the deadline to apply for aid to buy tractor power take-off shaft covers. The measure covers 60% of costs.
Ireland has extended by three weeks the deadline for farmers to apply for state aid to buy power take-off (PTO) shaft covers, the protective guards fitted to tractor and machinery drive shafts. Niall Collins, Minister of State for farm safety, confirmed that expressions of interest and payment applications can now be submitted until Friday, 27 November. The original closing date was 6 November. The aid is provided under the National Farm Safety Measure.
How to apply
Before buying the covers, a farmer or an advisor approved under the Farm Advisory System (FAS) must submit an expression of interest. The payment application, or claim, must then be filed by the new 27 November deadline.
The measure provides 60% grant aid on eligible costs of up to €100 per cover, for a maximum of four PTO shaft covers. Receipts must confirm that the covers meet the quality standards set out in the terms and conditions.
Farm safety record
In the ten years from 2016 to 2025, farm vehicles and machinery accounted for almost half of the 177 fatal incidents on Irish farms. Over the last three years, entanglement in PTOs has caused two deaths on farms in Ireland.
Minister's appeal
Collins said machinery on farms across the country has defective or missing PTO shaft covers, which pose a major safety risk. He urged farmers to check the condition of the covers over the coming days and to use the measure to replace any that are damaged or missing.
The minister added that most, if not all, farm safety incidents are preventable. In his words, keeping protective guards in place and maintaining tractors and machinery well are critical to reducing fatal and life-changing incidents involving farm vehicles and machinery.
