Savings at State agencies to achieve cuts

STATE agencies attached to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food — rather than production capacity investment — will bear the brunt of a €9.1 million savings target as part of the Government’s spending measures to save €440m this year and €1 billion next year.

This year, savings of €5.4m will be sought from among these agencies, which include Coillte, the Irish National Stud, Teagasc, Bord Bia, Coford, and BIM.

Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith said savings of €1.04m will be sought in the administrative budget of his department, while a further saving of €2.68m will be found on the cost of consultancies, PR and payroll costs. Further savings will be sought next year.