42 local agriculture offices to be closed

THE Department of Agriculture is closing 42 local offices and relocating to 16 “enhanced” regional centres with a reduction of 400 staff.

The reduction will come into effect immediately and result in a reduction in the number of civil services working in the agricultural area.

Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith said: “This decision, when fully implemented, will result in financial savings in my department’s running costs of some €30 million annually and the reduction of over 400 staff, to be achieved in large part over the coming 12 months.