Séamus Hughes
Question:15 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will support the application by Teagasc for additional research, training and advisory staff. [6263/95]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Teagasc Personnel.
A corporate plan is being developed by Teagasc to set the direction of the research, training and advisory services for the period up to 1999 including its staffing requirements for that period. In this context agreement has been reached in principle on a substantial new blood recruitment programme. This allowed for the sanction of a significant number of new posts last year and discussions are continuing on the precise requirements for 1995. Further necessary recruitment during the 1996-99 period will be decided, as required, following discussions with Teagasc.
What is the status of the statement the Minister, Deputy Yates, made in his first week in office, that he was arranging for the appointment of 90 new staff in Teagasc, the new blood recruitment programme about which he spoke — 40 for research, 40 for advice and a further ten possibly for administrative purposes. Has the Minister sanctioned those appointments or was the statement for public consumption?
Fifty-seven new blood posts were sanctioned last year: 11 in the advisory service, 22 in research, 11 in education and training, seven clerical staff and six technicians,. Teagasc sought authority to create 83 posts during 1995. Some 44 posts were provisionally agreed on 8 March last, 13 on the advisory side, 28 for research and three for education and training. I understand that as late as this morning discussions were ongoing, that considerable progress has been made and that a few minor matters remain to be resolved. My information is that the appointments will be made.
I am grateful to the Minister for outlining the performance of the former Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Deputy Joe Walsh, last year in arranging for 57 new appointments to Teagasc, even though the total complement sought was 83. I note that 44 were appointed on 8 March 1994. On assuming office the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry made a specific arrangement, quite apart from any general view taking place, that 19 new staff would be appointed to Teagasc as part of a new blood programme. It was one of the new initiatives but he did not mention that 57 new staff were appointed by the former Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Deputy Joe Walsh, last year. Apart from the appointments made last year what is the status of the statement made by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Deputy Yates, that 90 new appointments would be made? Has he sanctioned 90 new appointments for Teagasc as stated in his first week in office? Are we to take it that the 90 aspirational staff will be part of the general review? Has the Minister taken a decision to appoint 90 staff?
Deputy Cowen will be free to make adjustments at the end of 1995. I am confident that if the Minister made a commitment he would honour it.
Can we take it from the reply of the Minister that a decision has not yet been taken to appoint 90 new staff?
I am not saying that. A decision has been made but, like all decisions, certain points must be clarified and we are going through that process. Discussions are ongoing with Teagasc and progress is being made. I am confident the Minister will realise these ambitious targets by the end of the year, otherwise the Deputy can come back and take the matter up with him.
For the purposes of clarification of the present position, is the status of the public statement made by the Minister at the time subject to points of clarification being resolved?
It is obvious the Minister has made a commitment. Negotiations are ongoing between the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and Teagasc. If problems arose they are being resolved and I am sure the Minister's commitments will be honoured by the end of the year.
As I understand it, 51 posts which had been promised by the Minister have not yet been sanctioned. Is the Minister of State saying the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Deputy Yates, is not in control of the Department and that only 44 posts have been sanctioned?
If the Deputy was listening he would know that was not what I said in my reply. As I said 44 posts were provisionally agreed on 8 March last——
Only provisionally?
——and that the remaining posts are under discussion. There is no doubt about the Minister's control over the Department.
Fifty-one broken promises.
I am confident the Minister will realise his target. He has given a commitment to inject new blood into Teagasc. We all agree that should be done and that will be done by the end of the year. Teagasc are anxious that the new appointments be made as they are concerned about the age structure and the expertise they need to draw down Structural Funds. They will have to get this new blood.
Why must it be announced 12 months in advance?
Question No. 16 please.