Vol. 505 No. 3
32 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps, if any, taken or envisaged to fulfil the commitment given in An Action Programme for the Millennium to carry out the most fundamental review of his Department since it was set up in 1900 and to focus on its central mission of developing policy to ensure Irish agriculture reaches its full potential; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13582/99]
Changing demands and circumstances and a need to continuously improve efficiency and effectiveness have highlighted the need for certain improvements in the organisation and structure of my Department. To address these issues, a fundamental review of the structure and work practices was instituted. This review also took account of the relevant Government decisions regarding FEOGA payments and food safety and the commitment in An Action Programme for the Millennium to focus the Department on its central mission – developing policy to ensure Irish agriculture reaches its full potential.
It has been decided that the Department should be reorganised on three broad pillars representing the three principal areas of activity – policy development, food safety and production and FEOGA payments. These arrangements will separate policy and executive functions, while maintaining the necessary relationships between them to ensure coherence in negotiations at EU level, in other international fora and in the implementation of various programmes and schemes.
Progress on the implementation of these proposals on food safety and production had to take account of the Government decision to establish a Food Safety Authority of Ireland under the aegis of the Department of Health and Children as this would have a significant influence on the future role of the Department in connection with food safety and, consequently, for the most appropriate organisation for this function within my Department.
The Department has been engaged, in conjunction with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, 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. These arrangements have considerable organisational implications for the Department, not least because many of the staff engaged on food safety work also carry out functions concerning 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 that deal with headage and premia schemes. Some 290 posts are being transferred on a phased basis, representing a very substantial decentralisation. The first two of the FEOGA divisions concerned moved to Wexford on schedule in September 1998 and April 1999.
Given that the position on the establishment of the FSAI has been clarified, and that the decentralisation is well under way, I am now in a position to progress to conclusion the work which has been under way in my Department to give effect to the commitment in An Action Programme for the Millennium to establish an agency to administer FEOGA and other payments. A draft memorandum to Government was circulated to other Departments and I am awaiting their final observations before submitting proposals to establish the agency to the Government at an early date.
The highly successful outcome of the recent Agenda 2000 proposals clearly illustrates the strength of my Department in the areas of policy development and negotiation. The challenge now facing the Department is to progress with the reorganisation of its structure and operations to deliver the potential of this package and other policy initiatives to the optimum benefit of Irish agriculture and the Irish economy. This will entail meeting the strictest criteria of financial accountability while ensuring services are responsive to clients' needs.
We all welcome the fact that food safety is one of the three pillars of the reorganisation taking place within the Department. Was there significant resistance in the Department to the establishment of the independent agency to administer FEOGA and other payments? Some people think that is the reason for the delay in its establishment.
Has the Minister given any thought to an independent appeals system for those who feel aggrieved at the levels of penalty imposed on grants received by them or the number of grants refused to them? That would be an important element of a root and branch review of the Department.
Since I entered office, substantial decentralisation has taken place to Portlaoise and that unit is working well. My predecessor, Deputy Yates, made the decision to decentralise to Wexford, to where substantial decentralisation has taken place. That process is ongoing.
A draft memorandum concerning the FEOGA agency has been circulated to other Departments and we are awaiting replies before putting in place that element of the restructuring. In the meantime the Food Safety Authority of Ireland has been established. That is a huge organisation. It falls under the aegis of the Department of Health and Children, but much of the work is being done by officers of the Department of Agriculture and Food on contract to it. During the period of its establishment Deputies, committees and lobby groups complained that there was not great efficiency. Under those circumstances, there has been definite progress.
Is the Minister satisfied this separation can occur at local level, where personnel dealing with the basics of food safety also deal with FEOGA? It would be much easier to divide it at national rather than local level. Is the Minister satisfied there are sufficient numbers of staff at local office level to ensure programmes already in place are properly administered?
Generally the Department of Agriculture and Food is highly efficient in the administration of various schemes. No doubt the complex schemes which emanated from the 1992 CAP reform placed a huge burden on the administration of the Department. The provision of IT and computer facilities in the meantime has facilitated the good working of that operation. Recently in an official publication of the EU the Department of Agriculture and Food was seen as one of the better Departments in the administration and implementation of various programmes and schemes.
I am pleased that the general finding of the recent Cromien review of the systems and procedures was that the Department of Agriculture and Food had confirmed that there had been substantial and sustained improvement in systems and procedures in the Department since the late 1980s and the early 1990s.
Perhaps I did not correctly understand the Minister. In so far as the FEOGA payments are concerned, will that be an autonomous body within the Department or will it be independent?
That is a good question. We circulated a draft memorandum which contains a number of options. We are awaiting the observations of various other Departments, including the Department of Finance. It will then be a matter for the Government to make a decision on whether it should be completely autonomous or whether it should be a free standing segment within the overall responsibility of the Department.
What about the social welfare system?
That is a model which has been suggested for use. At least Departments and Ministers are answerable and accountable to the House and to the Committee of Public Accounts.
When will that decision be taken?
