Vol. 498 No. 5
21 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the decision of the previous Government to establish an independent agency to administer FEOGA and other payments, including premia, to farmers has been reversed or modified by the current Government; if not, the reasons for the delay in establishing the proposed agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27813/98]
An Action Programme for the Millennium includes a commitment to establish "an independent agency to administer FEOGA and other payments such as premia to farmers".
Work has been under way within my Department with a view to giving effect to this Programme commitment, whereby, inter alia, all FEOGA and payment operations would be assembled into a single unit. I presented a progress report in this connection to the Government in 1997.
It is intended that implementation of the action programme commitment will avail of the opportunity afforded by the Public Service Management Act, 1997 to introduce innovative management and accountability structures within Government Departments.
Furthermore, in addition to preparing the establishment of the FEOGA agency, my Department has over the past 18 months been engaged in two other substantial projects of an organisational character, in relation, first, to the implementation of the Food Safety Authority Ireland Act, 1998 and, second, the decentralisation of a substantial part of the Department to Wexford, both of which affect the FEOGA operational area and which have of necessity absorbed considerable management time and attention.
The Department has been engaged, in conjunction with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), in the development of arrangements for the implementation by the Department of the extensive functions to be conducted by it on behalf of the Authority. The establishment of the FSAI was a major commitment under An Action Programme for the Millennium. Given the urgency attached to its progress through the legislative process, it was decided that priority should be given to this issue. The arrangements being laid down under the FSAI Act, 1998 have considerable organisational implications for the Department, not least because many of the staff engaged on food safety work also carry out functions in relation to FEOGA operations.
The Department is in the process of transferring to Johnstown Castle, County Wexford, on a phased basis, the work and staff posts of most Dublin-based FEOGA divisions other than those dealing with headage and premia schemes. Some 290 posts are being transferred on a phased basis, which represents a very substantial decentralisation. The first of the FEOGA Divisions concerned moved to Wexford on schedule in September 1998, and the decentralisation process will be completed over the next year.
Given that the position on the establishment of the FSAI has been clarified, and that the decentralisation is well under way, it is my intention to proceed with the establishment of the FEOGA agency as quickly as possible. I would expect to put proposals as regards its establishment to the Government early in 1999.
