asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of staff who are agricultural advisers on the agricultural advisory staff in County Cavan; and the total staff employed in the agricultural advisory services in that county for the years (a) 1979 (b) 1983 (c) 1987 and (d) 1988.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Advisers.
13.
The number of agricultural advisers in County Cavan is 11. The total staff employed in the county for the years in question were:
|
Year |
Agricultural Advisers |
Total Staff |
|
1979 |
24 |
28 |
|
1983 |
23 |
29 |
|
1987 |
18 |
23 |
|
1988 |
11 |
15 |
|
1989 |
11 |
15 |
I thank the Minister for his detailed reply. I want to put on record what is common knowledge not only in the county but in constituencies all over the country, that it is the complete demise of agricultural advice when figures have reduced from 24 to 11. Will the Minister accept that the agricultural advisory service as we knew it under the old county committees of agriculture has completely collapsed in County Cavan, that advice is not now available to farmers who are restricted with quotas in milk production and are looking for alternative farm enterprises and who are now in need of advice more than at any other time since the foundation of the State?
The Deputy asked a statistical question. He is now entering the area of policy. That is not in order.
I would accept that the old way has changed for the agricultural committees. Secondly, Teagasc have set as an essential priority the education and training of young farmers particularly. That is evidenced from the fact that now over 85 per cent of young farmers starting agriculture have formal qualification by comparison with a little over 20 per cent eight or nine years ago. The Deputy is right. The priorities have changed, and I am quite satisfied that with the service Teagasc are now implementing and the value for money being introduced we will see a totally new approach.
How can you get the advice out day to day and week to week if you have not the staff on the ground as is acknowledged by the figures the Minister quoted? Secondly, will he accept that the few key personnel are being detailed to take up office positions in the new agricultural offices in Cavan town — which we welcome — and are going to be housebound when they are only too keen and willing——
We are having an extension of the subject matter.
Will the Minister answer that question?
I want to assure the Deputy that with new techniques and information technology such as we saw launched yesterday in this area through Agri-Line, and Teagasc are using that, we are into a new world. You do not have to be physically present. So many new programmes and techniques are being introduced by Teagasc, as I saw yesterday, that the Deputy can be assured that the best, most sophisticated advice will be used through modern facilities rather than the cumbersome long delays of the old ways.
The Minister knows that is not a fact.
(Interruptions.)
Question No. 14.
Castles in the air.
I indicated a number of times——
I am sorry, I did not see the Deputy. If he offered I will call him.
The Minister indicated that with the additional information and education of young farmers advice is not so necessary in the traditional areas, but is it not important now that while there is a reduction in staff due to early retirement, projects relating to mushrooms, horses and so on in Cavan should get special priority from Teagasc in future?
I agree and I am sure it is a concern not only of Deputy Leonard. I agree to the extent that I have asked Teagasc to give special priority to such areas. I assure Deputy Leonard they will do it.
Of course they would do it but they cannot when they have not the hours. They have not time.
Let me answer. I assure the Deputy also that there will be two separate priorities. Both young farmers and low income farmers will be a special priority in terms of service and they can be guaranteed it will be applied.
The figures speak for themselves.