Mr. Brendan Gleeson:

That is probably a question for me. There is a healthy tension between State bodies looking for more resources and the Department. That is as it should be. They make a business case. Teagasc has a significant case in at the moment which we are looking at. However, I have to manage a Vote within the parameters laid down by the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. I am quite sure that when it comes to the Estimates 2024 that there will be a limit of 4% or 5% in line with public expenditure expectations and, therefore I cannot say with certainty what will be approved in the context of the Teagasc business case. However, Mr. Hayes has made it clear that we have been helpful to it and we have approved additional staff when necessary. Will we approve exactly what it looks for? Possibly not.