Early retirement on agenda in radical Teagasc cost-cutting

A RADICAL cost-cutting plan that will include a voluntary early retirement scheme for 120 staff and the non-replacement of some 100 others who will retire over the next few years was agreed in principle by the Teagasc authority at a meeting in Carlow yesterday.

The closure of at least 18 advisory offices, a reduction in the number of senior managers by a third, a 30% reduction in the research land base and a new model for agricultural and horticultural education, are other features of the plan.

When the changes are implemented, Teagasc will have a nationwide network of 70 offices, three lead educational colleges (Kildalton, Co Kilkenny, Ballyhaise, Co Cavan, and the College of Amenity Horticulture at the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin), and 11 regional education centres.