Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for coming to the House to respond to my concerns about the future of the Teagasc centre in Manorhamilton. It came to light only last week that the centre's future was in question. A similar problem arose in 2003, when it appeared that Teagasc was planning to close its smaller offices throughout the country.

Teagasc or its predecessor, ACOT, has always maintained an advisory service in Manorhamilton, which is my local town. I have special responsibility for that area as the only Government Member from County Leitrim. The current office was built in the early 1970s and it has served the people of the area well over the years. When it was previously threatened with closure, we managed to keep it open. Since Christmas, the Teagasc office in Sligo was closed and its staff were moved to Manorhamilton, where five or six people are currently employed. Most of the staff would be happy to remain in Manorhamilton because it is easier to access than the suggested alternative of Ballymote for those who come from north County Sligo. If we end up with Teagasc offices in Ballymote in south County Sligo and Mohill in south County Leitrim, the northern parts of counties Sligo and Leitrim will not be covered by an office and farmers will have to travel 40 or 45 miles to Ballymote or Mohill.

Manorhamilton is ideally situated and Teagasc operates from a purpose built office in the town. I will be attending a beef discussion group meeting at the office this evening and a sheep group has also been set up in the area. It is vital for the farmers of the area that we maintain the office. It would also encourage young farmers who are currently studying at agricultural colleges to stay in the industry. Farmers from north County Sligo are also attending courses and discussion groups at the office.

Under the Croke Park agreement, staff who move further than 40 km can incur additional costs, which would create further problems for Teagasc. We are only looking at the cost of running it. That building cannot be sold in the current market and it will just sit there. Significant amounts have been spent on the building since Christmas to facilitate the move from Sligo. It would be a great pity at this stage if the office was closed.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Senator for raising the issue of the Teagasc office in Manorhamilton. I note his request that a commitment be given that the office remains open. In case the impression is created that this is a decision for the Minister, let me make the position clear. Decisions relating to the future of Teagasc local offices are operational matters for the Teagasc authority to consider. Teagasc operates as a separate State agency under the Department's aegis and it has statutory responsibility for the provision of advisory, education and research services to the agriculture sector. It is governed by an authority, which is representative of the main stakeholder groups in the agrifood sector. It is a matter for Teagasc and the authority to prioritise activities in the delivery of these services and to allocate its resources in accordance with these priorities. As far as my Department is concerned, ministerial responsibility is confined to matters of policy in accordance with the Act and the Minister does not interfere in the day-to-day operations of Teagasc.

The agency commenced a change process in 2009 to ensure it remains fit for purpose and delivers value for public money. The change programme addressed both the ongoing need for change and the need for significant resource rationalisation. Implementation is resulting in the disposal of surplus assets, a significant reduction in the number of research, advisory and educational locations, the cutting of management and administrative posts and significant productivity gains by staff. On completion, the future Teagasc will be a smaller, highly innovative, efficient and focused organisation.

I understand that, as part of the change programme, Teagasc has decided to concentrate the delivery of its services, including advisory services, at fewer centres. The existing network of advisory offices is being streamlined from 91 to 51 by the end of 2012. The specific criteria used by the agency in assessing the viability of advisory office locations includes client numbers, staff numbers, distance to clients, distance to other Teagasc offices and overall cost structure. The decision to close offices and concentrate the delivery of services at fewer locations is entirely a matter for Teagasc and its board. On average, clients visits an advisory office 1.5 times per year. Farmers tend to gravitate much more readily to other centres for public events such as seminars, farm walks, demonstrations and information meetings. A good example is the discussion group model referred to by the Senator where groups of farmers visit similar farms and share information and experiences in dialogue facilitated by their Teagasc adviser.

I understand from Teagasc that no decision has been made to close the Manorhamilton advisory office. A review will be carried out by the agency of its remaining advisory office structure on completion of the current rationalisation programme. Teagasc is committed to providing high quality advisory services to farmers in the Sligo-Leitrim region and to ensuring they have access to the best advice delivered by highly skilled advisory staff. In addition to the Manorhamilton office, enhanced advisory offices are located in Mohill and Ballymote. Teagasc opened a new purpose-built office in Mohill in 2009. This state-of-the-art facility, which cost more than €1 million to construct, includes new offices, training rooms and customer facilities.

I do not propose to comment on individual decisions taken by Teagasc regarding the delivery of its services at particular locations. I understand the local concerns that may arise are significant and are of concern to public representatives. However, that is a matter for the Teagasc authority to deal with and it is not appropriate for the Minister to become involved in a location by location basis. Teagasc is substantially dependent on taxpayer funded resources to deliver its statutory mandate. In the current economic circumstances, it has had to explore every conceivable option to minimise the Exchequer contribution. It embarked on an extensive rationalisation programme in 2009 to respond to these budgetary constraints in a manner that minimises the adverse impact on its services, clients and programmes. I am satisfied that Teagasc will continue to provide quality advisory services to farmers within the restructured advisory structure and plan it has in place.

I understand where the Senator coming from. Many farming communities are attached to their local Teagasc offices, particularly where there has been investment in them in the recent past. My information regarding Manorhamilton is no decision has been taken to close the office. A rationalisation process is under way and if the future of the office is reviewed following that process, that will be an issue for Teagasc and its board. I cannot be any more accurate than that.

Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael)
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I very much thank the Minister because it is so far, so good. I will be in touch with Teagasc about the issue and, hopefully, the office will remain open in Manorhamilton. I will have to wait and see what happens.