Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the staffing composition, the Deputy is aware that this is a completely new Department. We are recruiting staff, including from different Departments. We certainly need more staff. Like every other Department, this Department has been badly affected by the embargo over the past number of years. On environmentally friendly farming relating to the Exchequer schemes, we are at a time of diminished resources but at the same time, GLAS has an annual budget of €250 million, with around €3.2 million allocated for agri-environmental support for 2014, €2.5 million in 2015 and €1.66 million in 2016. There is a scheme there, which I would like to see used. I would certainly like farmers compensated for any losses they have.