Department of Agriculture: higher costs, despite fewer staff

The Department of Agriculture and Food is budgeted to cost €286 million this year.

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.