Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 Dec 1987

Vol. 376 No. 10

Written Answers. - AFT/ACOT Board.

57.

Mr. Durkan

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food whether, having regard to the number of voluntary redundancies/early retirements offered by the Government, he proposes any changes in the structure/size and functions of the new AFT/ACOT board; the total number of employees likely to be involved in the new board; the total number of jobs likely to be lost as a result of the abolition of ACOT and AFT and if he intends to revise his estimate under this heading; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

58.

Mr. Durkan

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has communicated his intentions for the new AFT/ACOT board to the former employees of both original bodies; the exact nature of these proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. O'Kennedy)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 58 together. My general views on the new body combining AFT and ACOT have been outlined on a number of occasions in this House and elsewhere. Details of the proposed functions, powers, composition etc. of the new body are, of course, set out in the Agriculture (Research, Training and Advice) Bill, 1987, which has been circulated to Deputies this week.

The final position on the uptake of the Government's voluntary retirement terms in AFT and ACOT has not yet been established and it is not possible at this juncture to give detailed information on staffing in those bodies or the new body. The priorities and operating programmes, which will be decided by the new body in the light of the total financial resources available to it, will of course have a major bearing on its staffing requirements.