Gerry O'Sullivan
Question:22 Mr. G. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline his plans for the proper funding of Teagasc to allow it to carry out its functions as set down in legislation.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Teagasc Funding.
Teagasc are in receipt of funding from a variety of sources including Exchequer and EC contributions. The Exchequer and EC amounts were increased from £36.5 million in 1990 to £41.5 million in 1991 and a further increase has been provided for in 1992.
I am satisfied that Teagasc have adequate resources to carry out their statutory functions. A thorough review of Teagasc's operations and financing is being undertaken by the body at the present time. It will be a matter for the Authority, in the first instance, to decide on any proposals that come forward from the review.
The Minister referred to the EC and State Exchequer funding contributions. Can I take it that the balance of the cost of this service is now being borne by the farmers? Is the Minister aware of the complications in the restructuring of the Teagasc service, which means they must dispose of a lot of property, including buildings in the Minister's constituency — and mine — which is not even their property but belongs to the ratepayers of the counties? Is he aware that this is the implication of the lack of funding from the State, the European Community and indeed from the farmers themselves, who seem to have to pay for everything?
A breakdown of the funding shows that the Exchequer contributed £33.5 million, the EC contributed £9 million and that £14 million came from contract fees, advisory charges, etc.
What about farmers?
Farmers were not particularly involved. The food industry and co-operatives paid Dunsany and Moorepark under contract for much of the work carried out for them. All this came to a total of £58.8 million. As I said, a review is taking place at present and it is a matter for the Authority to decide on the future financing of Teagasc. No proposals from that review have been brought to me.
The time for questions has expired but I will allow very brief questions from Deputy Farrelly and Deputy Ryan.
Is the Minister satisfied with the present level of service provided by Teagasc to the farming community, taking into consideration the cutbacks and the number of farmers who are not in a position to engage Teagasc because of the cost involved?
I am satisfied that Teagasc provide a very professional service to farmers. I was concerned about small farmers who could not avail of the services because of the cost involved and additional finance was made available to make it possible for small and less well-off farmers to avail of the service without charging them. I hope that will ensure there will be a comprehensive service from Teagasc throughout the country.
Obviously, we must await the findings of this report. However, I should like the Minister to give a commitment to this House in line with the one given by his predecessors that the Government did not have proposals to close or relocate the research centre at Kinsealy. The chairman of Teagasc did not say that Kinsealy would not be closed down——
That is a separate matter and indeed the Deputy raised it in the House before. It is not relevant now.
The point is——
That must be the end of Question Time for today.