Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 581: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the plans in place for the Teagasc office in Manorhamilton County Leitrim; if it is to be closed and services moved to Ballymote in County Sligo; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties that this will cause farmers in north Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10609/12]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 584: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the Teagasc office in Manorhamilton, County Leitrim; if a decision has been made by Teagasc to close this office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10666/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 581 and 584 together.

This is an operational matter for the Teagasc Authority. Teagasc is currently implementing a major 'Change Programme' to rationalise resources and has decided to concentrate the delivery of its services at fewer centres. The existing network of advisory offices is being streamlined from 91 to 51 by end 2012. The decision to close offices is entirely a matter for the Teagasc Authority.

I understand from Teagasc that no decision has been made to close the Manorhamilton office. A review will be carried out of their remaining advisory office structure on completion of the current rationalization programme. Teagasc is committed to providing high quality advisory services to farmers in the Sligo/Leitrim region. In addition to the Manorhamilton office, enhanced advisory offices are located in Ballymote and Mohill where a new purpose built office was opened in 2009.