The amalgamation of An Foras Taluntáis and ACOT was decided by the Government in the context of their overall plans to restore order to the public finances through rationalising State services, controlling Exchequer spending to the essential limits of cost-effectiveness and in particular ensuring co-ordination of the research, advisory and education services in agriculture. The broad lines of the amalgamation will be contained in legislation which I will be introducing in the House during the present session. The plan of operation for the amalgamated services will be a matter for the new authority and I will be asking them to provide me with details of the services they intend to provide taking account of their non-Exchequer resources including financial participation from the industry.
I am satisfied, given the staff reductions which can be achieved through the Government's redundancy scheme, or if necessary through redeployment, that an efficient and effective service can be provided on the basis of Exchequer funding provided in the Estimates. The terms of the Government's voluntary redundancy scheme are currently being offered to all the staff of both bodies and, until that process has been completed, it is not appropriate to speculate on alternative provisions. However, as I indicated to staff representatives when the Minister for Labour and I met them recently, it is not the Government's intention to implement compulsory redundancies in the matter.
The Government recently decided to extend the voluntary redundancy scheme to all personnel over 50 in the Civil Service, health boards and non-commercial State bodies.
Staff numbers in An Foras Talúntais and ACOT are as follows:
|
An Foras
|
Administrative
|
22
|
Research
|
234
|
Technical
|
374
|
Secretarial
|
99
|
General
|
405
|
|
1,134
|
|
ACOT
|
Administrative
|
18
|
Professional
|
663
|
Technical
|
22
|
Clerical
|
211
|
Farm & Domestic
|
112
|
|
1,026
|