McConalogue defends agriculture's budget following reduction 

Various farming associations criticised this budget allocation calling it a “nothing burger” for farmers and lambasting the overall reduction the department received

The Department of Agriculture, Food, and Marine was allocated €1.94bn in Tuesday's budget — down from the €2.14bn allocated last year. Photo: Leah Farrell / © RollingNews.ie

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue played down accusations that the budget did little for farmers saying there is “unprecedented funding” in place to support farm families.

During the budget announcement on Tuesday, Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe allocated €1.94bn to the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine which is down from the €2.14bn allocated last year. This is largely due to the discontinuation of the Brexit Reserve Fund which had €240m in funding.