Vol. 565 No. 1
160 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the person, Department or agency responsible for the curtailment of funding to Teagasc which has resulted in the closure of a number of its offices; his proposed action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10253/03]
161 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the vote or subhead from which funds are derived for the funding of the services provided by Teagasc; if his attention has been drawn to the serious damage being done to the service by the closure of a number of Teagasc offices; if the provision of extra funding by his Department will prevent such closures; the steps he intends to take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10254/03]
164 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the Government Department which has responsibility for the funding of the advisory service to the agricultural sector; if he has responsibility for the funding of services provided through Teagasc; the body or bodies responsible for the curtailment of funding to Teagasc which has resulted in the closure of a number of its offices thereby seriously undermining the advisory and support services to the agricultural industry at a time of economic uncertainty; if he will rectify the situation at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10257/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 160, 161 and 164 together.
Teagasc receives most of its funding from the Exchequer by way of an annual grant-in-aid from my Department. In the current year, that funding amounts to €120 million. In addition, Teagasc generates income from other sources.
It is a matter for Teagasc to manage its business and prioritise its activities within the resources available to the organisation.
