Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
1270. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding provided to the Teagasc Signpost Advisory Programme; the funding provided for the AgNav platform and required resources including advisors, workshops and trainings to assess farm data in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37750/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Signpost Advisory Programme and the AgNav Sustainability Digital Platform are two of the three pillars of the Teagasc Climate Action Strategy, that Teagasc launched in December 2022.
The Signpost Advisory Programme is an extension of the overall Teagasc Signpost Programme that has been in place since May 2021 to support adoption of best practice and climate actions on farms.
As regards funding for SignPost, my Department provides Teagasc with significant grant aid funding to support its annual programmes of activities, including, for example, the Signpost Advisory Programme. We continue to provide Teagasc with strong financial support yearly with over €156m being made available this year, an increase of €6.5m compared to 2022. Prioritisation of funding for individual programmes etc remains an operational matter for Teagasc and its governing board.
The AgNav Sustainability Digital Platform is a collaboration between Teagasc, Bord Bia and ICBF that will support farmers to count carbon emissions and sequestration on their farms. The platform is currently in pilot phase. My Department has received a funding proposal from the three partner organisations to assist the further development of the AgNav platform. The proposal is currently being evaluated.
