Cash-strapped Teagasc faces huge challenges

TEAGASC bosses were poring over the detail of the Budget today, as the organisation struggles with dwindling resources which have left it paying out nearly 80% of its grant-in-aid from the Government in salaries and pensions.

The director of the agriculture and food development authority, Dr Gerry Boyle, had admitted last week that he and his staff were waiting with bated breath for yesterday’s announcements.

Having already been heavily affected by the public sector employment moratorium, the organisation has had to cope with more than 100 retirements this year.