Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 55: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on the proposed savings under the national recovery plan as they relate to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45208/10]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 60: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps he will take to protect payments to farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45116/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 46, 55 and 60 together.

The National Recovery Plan agreed by the Government sets out a blueprint for a return to sustainable growth in our economy setting out in detail the measures that will be taken to put the public finances of the country in order. In particular, it identifies the areas of economic activity which will provide growth and employment and specifies the reforms the Government will implement to accelerate growth in those key sectors.

The Plan recognises that future policy must be focussed on areas where competitive advantage can be achieved and it acknowledges the contribution that Irish agriculture and the Irish agri-food industry makes and will continue to make to help boost competitiveness and increase employment the Irish economy. While everyone must make a fair contribution to the resolution of our economic difficulties, the measures contained in the Plan are proportionate.

In relation to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the National Recovery Plan identifies the level of Departmental savings that have to be achieved over the period 2011-2014. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will be required to achieve savings of €75 million in 2011 and a further €120 million over the following three years. Based on the level of savings that have been identified for 2011, decisions on expenditure across all subheads will be finalised between now and 7th December, when the Department's Estimate for 2011 will be published.

While the overall level of savings to be achieved in the following years has been identified, specific decisions in relation to individual programme expenditures in those years have not been taken. Such decisions will be taken as part of the annual estimate process in each of the years 2012, 2013 and 2014.