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.

It is envisaged that the Teagasc College at Clonakilty, Co Cork, will become one of the proposed regional education centres with a substantial involvement in research.

A streamlining of administration and a reduction in directorates from six to four is planned and the leases on two farms used for research at Kilmaley, Co Clare, and Leenane, Co Mayo, will not be renewed.

Teagasc, which employs 1,600 people, said there will be an increased emphasis on transferring knowledge to farmers, the food industry and other clients.

It said the changes will impact on all its activities — research, education and the advisory service — and will provide a framework for the organisation to adjust to the reduction in state grant-in-aid of €10.3 million announced by the Government in the October budget and to future possible reductions.

However, Macra na Feirme president Catherine Buckley said it is totally opposed to Teagasc’s proposed restructuring of agricultural education, which should be available on a full-time basis in all parts of the country.

“Any reduction in the number of agricultural colleges will result in a significant fall in the numbers attending such education and will be to the detriment of Irish agriculture and the economy as a whole,” she said.