Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Carthy. I assure him that the funding did come from the Government and, ultimately, from the taxpayer. Teagasc plays a very valuable role, which I strongly support and certainly, as Minister, it is one I prioritise. I ensured that it received an additional €4 million in the budget this year in order to support it. As the Deputy knows, that €4 million came as part of an 11% increase I secured for the farming sector in the budget over and above last year in order to try to ensure we underpin farm incomes and try to support farmers throughout the country. I recognise the tremendous effort Teagasc has gone to, working with me and the Department, taking on board the efforts of Macra na Feirme and representations from the students to ensure those students would be treated fairly and proportionately in the same way as other third level students have been. This was very important and I recognise the work of Teagasc in that. I will continue to support Teagasc in the very important work it does by means of funding from the Exchequer.

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