Department of Agriculture: higher costs, despite fewer staff
The figure is some 3% higher than last year, despite the loss of around 400 staff following the changeover to the Single Farm Payment Scheme.
“This increase results primarily from agreed increases in salaries, wages and allowances under Sustaining Progress and benchmarking, and from increased costs relating to office machinery, supplies and IT outsourcing”, said Minister Mary Coughlan when appearing before the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food.
The minister confirmed plans to change the work regime at district veterinary offices, but said it would have to be discussed with unions and may take time to finalise.
The minister also said the department is continuing with a major decentralisation programme, with up to 600 Dublin-based staff to move to Portlaoise, a Cork city office to move to Fermoy, and laboratories to move to Macroom.
“I hope 150 full-time posts will move to Portlaoise this year as part of the decentralisation programme,” the minister said.
