Call to protect employment of 100 REPS planning service graduates

METHODS must be found to safeguard the employment of 100 agricultural graduates involved in the Teagasc Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) planning service, the Agricultural Science Association (ASA) declared yesterday.

ASA president Elaine Farrell, referring to a government direction that all of these REPS planners must be let go by Teagasc when their employment contracts expire over the next 12 months, said it is vital the expertise of these young professionals is not lost to the programme and to the agricultural sector.

Calling on Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith to intervene and ensure an acceptable arrangement is put in place, she said the future of these graduates, who are responsible for managing 40% of all REPS plans and are delivering a significant revenue stream for Teagasc, must be protected.

“There is plenty of work for these graduates. Their average age is under 30 and they have a huge contribution to make to the agri-food sector long after the current recession has passed,” she said.

Labour Party spokes-person on agriculture and food Seán Sherlock TD described the Teagasc cost cutting plan as another retrograde step for rural Ireland.

“The people employed in the rural advisory offices are offering value added services to members of the farming community within the local community.

“The move to reduce staffing levels and close some of these offices speaks volumes about the attitude of this Government toward retaining services in rural areas,” he said.

Meanwhile, Teagasc said the proposed reduction in the number of its offices will not impact on the quality of its advisory services due to the dramatic improvements in communication recent technologies.

The overall Teagasc cost-cutting programme includes a voluntary early retirement scheme for 120 staff and the non-replacement of 100 others who will retire over the next few years.

Teagasc operates from 89 advisory locations. Eighteen of these — eight owned and 10 rented — are set to close.

The feasibility of Teagasc sharing premises with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (DAFF) at some of the 71 remaining locations is also being examined.

Due to the unfolding situation regarding its involvement in the delivery of a REPS service, Teagasc has warned that a further rationalisation of advisory offices may be necessary.