Áine Collins (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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230. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is funding information nights through Teagasc regarding local farming issues; and the entitlements a farmer receives for the fee of €145 paid to Teagasc yearly. [47151/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Teagasc has statutory responsibility for the provision of education, advisory and research services to the agri-food sector. It is an operational matter for Teagasc to prioritise activities in the delivery of these services. Delivery is overseen by a governing Authority that is representative of the main stakeholder groups in the agri-food sector. The cost of delivery is met from annual exchequer grant aid allocations to Teagasc and funding generated by them from charges for advisory fees etc.

In line with its statutory remit, Teagasc provides local information meetings for all farmers and these events are advertised publically in local newspapers, radio and sometimes in the national press. The service is provided by Teagasc on a ‘public good’ basis and all events are open to the general public and free of charge.

Teagasc also provide specialised advisory services to over 40,000 contracted farm clients who pay fees to Teagasc based on the level of support required from an advisor. Three core advisory support packages have been established offering a range of supports to which additional services can be added. Farm clients with smaller holdings can avail of a Teagasc support package for an annual fee of €145. Services provided include technical assistance with Single Farm Payment application, personal invitations to Teagasc event/newsletters etc. and inspection support when it arises.