Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the closure of Teagasc offices (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37789/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Decisions relating to the future of Teagasc local offices are operational matters for the Teagasc Authority to consider. Teagasc has statutory responsibility for the delivery 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.

I am aware that Teagasc is currently implementing a major ‘Change Programme’to improve efficiencies, streamline services and promote greater integration across the organisation. As part of this Programme, Teagasc has decided to streamline the existing network of advisory offices in order to concentrate the delivery of services at fewer centres. This decision is entirely a matter for Teagasc and its Board.

I understand from Teagasc that on average, clients visit an advisory office 1.5 times per year. It is their experience that farmers tend to gravitate much more readily to other centres for public events such as seminars, farm walks, demonstrations and information meetings. They have also invested significant resources in rolling out Discussion Groups where groups of farmers visit similar farms and share information and experiences in dialogue facilitated by their Teagasc adviser. Teagasc is committed to the delivery of high quality advisory services to farmers and will still retain a significant network of advisory offices throughout the country when the rationalisation programme is completed.