Drop in agriculture department staff

STAFF numbers within the Department of Agriculture and Food are currently on a downward trend.

This is due to the introduction of the Single Payment Scheme (SPS), falling disease levels, the introduction of new computer systems and efficiency gains.

Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan told the Dáil her department is actively managing the redeployment of staff that became available to other work areas and to other departments. Over 225 staff members have been transferred to other Government departments already this year.

“My Department is constantly reviewing its operations and has also commenced a review of its organisational structure.

“Future staffing levels will be based on the outcome of these reviews and the need to maintain coherence, efficiency and effectiveness in providing quality services to our clients,” she said.

In a written reply to Green Party TD Eamonn Ryan regarding decentralisation, she said the department’s implementation plan allows for a phased movement of functions and posts to Portlaoise over a number of years.

The 2005 and 2006 phases are now almost complete and planning and preparations are ongoing for 2007 and subsequent phases. In total, there has been an increase of some 180 full-time posts in Portlaoise since early 2004.

She said over 400 staff are currently in Portlaoise.

The department’s new offices in Portlaoise will provide the development of a complex for up to 850 staff.