Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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Question 27: To ask the Minister for Agriculture; Fisheries and Food if he will outline the main aspects of Teagasc rationalisation to Dáil Éireann including the number and location of Teagasc offices identified for closure and sale; the amount and locations of research lands identified for sale; the number and locations of staff to be made redundant, retired not replaced and or redeployed; the total once-off and annual savings expected as a result of the rationalisation; if all or part of the expected savings will be reinvested in agriculture research; when he expects the rationalisation to be completed; if he has prepared and made available an impact analysis report concerning the rationalisation proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7792/11]

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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First, I wish all Deputies opposite the best of luck with their portfolios. As mentioned already, agriculture has a bright future.

Under the Agriculture (Research, Training and Advice) Act 1988, Teagasc has statutory responsibility for the provision of education, advisory and research services to the agriculture sector. It is a matter for Teagasc and its board to prioritise activities in the delivery of these services and to allocate its resources in accordance with these priorities. 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.

Teagasc continually develops its programmes, services and activities in conjunction with its clients and partners overseen by an authority that is representative of the main stakeholder groups in the agrifood sector. In 2008, the organisation completed a wide-ranging foresight analysis, Teagasc 2030, focusing on the challenges facing the agrifood sector and how Teagasc needed to adapt to meet these challenges. The report identified, in consultation with stakeholders, a clear vision for the long-term future of the agrifood sector and for Teagasc's supporting role.

The Teagasc foresight exercise established an overall strategic direction for the organisation and formed the basis for the launch of a major change programme in Teagasc. This commitment to change was given additional impetus arising from budgetary adjustments and the prospect of further resource adjustments. Against this background, the Teagasc authority approved phase one of the change programme in March 2009 to reorganise and refocus the organisation to meet the significant challenges that lie ahead.

The programme provides for rationalisation measures across the organisation including the advisory office network, disposal of surplus land resources, staff reductions and prioritisation of programme activities. The agreed actions were seen as the first step in an ongoing process of change and adjustment in the organisation. The programme was updated in May 2010 to incorporate additional rationalisation measures to end 2012.

Teagasc has made significant reductions in its cost base in recent years. In terms of budgetary savings, Exchequer grant-in-aid decreased by almost €14 million in the period 2008 to 2010. Staff numbers fell by 300 to 1,300 since the moratorium commenced in March 2009. Teagasc management will use an internal programme and staffing plan to guide its decisions on the deployment of staff resources under the change programme.

Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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Gabhaim comhghairdeas leis an Aire Stáit. Teagasc provides research and advisory services that are very well used by farmers in every county. Its director, Professor Gerry Boyle, has asked that some of the money that has been made available through the sale of assets within Teagasc be reinvested in its research and advisory services. It is not clear from the Minister of State's reply whether this will be done. This Government and the previous Government said that investment in research will be a key pillar in this country moving forward. I would have liked the reply to have stated clearly the amount of money that will be invested in further research and training and the nature of such research and training.

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Some of answers sought by the Deputy may be sent to him in writing. I appreciate what he said about the importance of Teagasc and of research. I come from an area like the Deputy in north Meath, which is not where all the good land is although there is still some good land in it. Small farmers prevail in that area and have availed of the services of Teagasc. I attended a beef seminar a week ago at which the level of research Teagasc has completed through funding was discussed. Such a service will be available to all concerned, including small beef farmers in particular, who farm in areas like those that I and the Deputy represent. Farmers will benefit from such Teagasc advice centres. If the Deputy has specific questions on any of those areas, I can write to Teagasc to get answers to them. I know where the Deputy is coming from in terms of his questions and I appreciate his concern in regard to research.

Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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I am not sure what would be the point of the Minister of State writing to Teagasc because its director-----

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Will the Deputy put his question as time allocated for this question is near an end?

Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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Has the Department indicated or made a decision on the percentage of the money derived from the sale of Teagasc assets that will be reinvested in its research and advisory function?

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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That will be part of the expenditure review that will take place over the next three months. When we have full details on it, we will get them straight to the Deputy.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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We will move on to Other Questions.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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On the last question, the Deputy might be interested to hear that I met representatives of Teagasc yesterday in regard to this matter and it is part of an ongoing discussion.