Coughlan satisfied with funding for agriculture department

PROVISION has been made for the gross expenditure of over €3 billion by the Department of Agriculture and Food in the coming year.

Minister Mary Coughlan said the total voted funding available to her department will be €1.5bn, a 10% increase on the projected out turn for this year.

EU-funded direct payments to farmers and market supports will amount to a further €1.5bn.