Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 319: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she envisages a reduction of staff within her Department as a result of the introduction of a single payment for farmers and the resulting reduction in the amount of paperwork and so on that will need to be done by her Department. [7686/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The reorganisation of my Department arising from the implementation of the single payment scheme will, in the future, result in a major rebalancing of work and there will be an inevitable requirement for a reduction in overall staff numbers working in departmental offices around the country. It is not possible at this stage to predict accurately all the changes both in terms of numbers and organisation that will result from the changeover to the single payment scheme. I have, however, established a number of steering groups in my Department to examine the different and complex issues involved and these groups will continue to plan and monitor the situation throughout the changeover. Officials of my Department are in discussion with the relevant trade unions and staff associations on this issue.