Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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Question 527: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps he will take to halt the closure of a facility (details supplied) in view of the absence of a cost benefit analysis or business plan to support the move, and in view of the serious impact such a proposal is likely to have on horticultural research and training in this country. [9776/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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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. Accordingly, the future of the Kinsealy Centre is an operational matter for the Teagasc Authority to consider.

I am aware that the Teagasc Authority approved a major 'Change Programme' in 2009 to reorganise and refocus the organisation to meet the significant challenges that lie ahead. The Programme provided for rationalisation measures across the organisation including the advisory office network, research centres, disposal of surplus land and staff reductions. As part of this Change strategy, the Teagasc Authority decided to move the activities and staff based in Kinsealy to other locations with the majority transferring to the Teagasc campus in Ashtown.

Teagasc has stressed that the decision to re-locate horticulture services from Kinsealy will not impact negatively on their support for the horticulture sector. They point out that most of the permanent staff located in Kinsealy are not involved in Horticulture research and training. Teagasc has produced a comprehensive 'Horticultural Plan' which outlines an alternative model for horticultural research that is less dependent on the traditional type of research infrastructure. They are satisfied that the needs of the 'Horticultural Research' programme can be adequately met from the facilities proposed for the Teagasc Centre at Ashtown and by conducting more research on producer sites.

I understand that Teagasc has carefully assessed the potential costs/benefits attributable to relocating from Kinsealy to Ashtown and they are satisfied that the closure of Kinsealy will give rise to significant annual cost savings.