Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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829. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Teagasc as a State body is answerable to him as laid out in the Agriculture (Research, Training and Advice) Act 1988; if Teagasc is in fact a charity run by its trustees answerable to the Charities Regulator as laid out in the Charities Act 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4256/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Teagasc was established under the “Agriculture (Research, Training and Advice) Act”, 1988, as the national agency with responsibility for the provision of research, training and advisory services to the agriculture and food industry. It operates as a non-commercial state body under the aegis of my Department in the areas of agri-food, rural development etc. The day to day running of the organization is the responsibility of the executive and its governing board, the Teagasc Authority.

I am advised that Teagasc registered for charitable status in 1988 within the meaning of Section 207, Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997 under Charity Reference Number 2002275. The registration was progressed having regard to the principal functions of Teagasc as outlined in Section 4 of the Teagasc Act regarding the provision of educational and training services in agriculture and the dissemination of scientific information to the agricultural industry.

Having charitable status enables Teagasc to avail of certain tax exemptions granted by the Revenue Commissioners to efficiently manage its tax affairs in compliance with tax law and regulations.

It should be noted that approval for charitable status is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners and the Charities Regulator who regulates charitable organisations operating in Ireland to ensure compliance with the Charities Act and to support best practice in the governance and management of charities.