The government is being called on to ring fence money each year in order to support more people to get involved in the Leitrim-run Social Farming programme.
Hundreds of people each year who have overcome various physical and mental challenges engage with Social Farming Ireland which is based in Drumshanbo and is overseen by the Leitrim development company.
A recent Oireachtas committee heard that there is a growing demand for social farming to assist people with physical disabilities as well as those recovering from mental illness.
It is expected that 5,000 placement days will be provided this year - in excess of 2 pre-pandemic levels of activity.
Brian Smyth believes that in order to continue the progress the scheme has had in recent years, a regular funding stream needs to be developed:
''What we have is a very fragmented funding model for social farming placements. And we have very, very significant funding, thanks to Minister Rabbitte for this year from her disability integration funding, which we received through seven counties, but we had to apply to numerous within 14 or 15 counties and we received grants on seven. We would like to see a national sort of multi annual fund at some way, embedded or mainstreamed, that we could be certain of to support the placements that are very valuable.''
James McManus did his placement at Tommy Earley's farm in Roscommon and now works at the mart in Manorhamilton.
He told the Committee that his life has bene transformed as a result of social farming.
''On social farming, I learned more about farming work, how to work with other people about cooking, healthy eating, social farming made new friends like Tommy Earley on. We stayed in touch. Today I live in my own house and cook and clean and I also have a dog.''
