Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
967. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of establishing the Teagasc signpost advisory programme; the staffing levels and workforce plan of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27983/23]
View answerTeagasc operates as a non-commercial State body under the remit of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. It has statutory responsibility for the provision of education, research, and advisory services to the agricultural sector, and develops its programmes in conjunction with clients and partners overseen by the Teagasc Authority, which is representative of the main stakeholders in the agri-food sector. Accordingly, the administration of individual Teagasc programmes is exclusively an operational matter for Teagasc.
In December 2022, Teagasc launched its Climate Action Strategy 2022-2030 ‘Supporting Farmers for Climate Action’ setting out how Teagasc plans to support the achievement of the targets in the National Climate Action Plan for the agriculture and land use sectors. As part of the Strategy, Teagasc proposes to establish a new targeted advisory service, the ‘SignPost Advisory Programme’ to accelerate action on farm in the areas of climate and sustainability.
As delivery of the SignPost Programme is an operational matter for Teagasc, I have asked them to respond directly to the Deputy on staffing and establishment costs.
