Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 March 2012
465 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason extra funding has not been made available to Teasgasc for works in Ashtown, Dublin; and the budget from which these moneys have been made available. [12807/12]
View answerThis is an operational matter for the Teagasc Authority. Teagasc has a very important role to play in supporting the Government's strategy for the development of the agriculture and food industries. For this reason, they receive substantial Exchequer resources each year to enable them provide first class education, research and advisory services.
Despite the difficult economic circumstances in which the recent budget was framed, the allocation to Teagasc was substantially maintained at €128.4m. This level of exchequer funding is a firm indication of the Government's continuing commitment to supporting Teagasc activities. Teagasc also earn other own income from advisory charges, education fees etc in addition to the exchequer allocation. I would point out that prioritisation of funding for particular services/programmes etc is a matter for Teagasc to determine.
I understand from Teagasc that the works at Ashtown are being funded from own resources and the intention is that the balance will be funded from proceeds from asset disposals under the Teagasc Change Programme. The use of proceeds is currently the subject of discussions with the Department.
