Teagasc embargo needs to be lifted

GALWAY farmers need all of the advice available to them as a need to recruit further Teagasc staff is highlighted – there has been a moratorium on the recruitment of Teagasc and Office of Public Works staff and now a demand has been made to lift this.

The call comes from Deputy Paul Connaughton Jnr who said that food production was being hampered by the ban on staff recruitment.

It is claimed that vital drainage works and farming advice is being hampered by the ban and proposals have now been made that this be lifted.

The recruitment moratorium is said to have held up some key works around the county including a number of site investigations for development.

Deputy Connaughton said that the need for the moratorium on recruitment to allow Teagasc and OPW to recruit key personnel needed to be addressed as a matter of urgency.

The Fine Gael TD said that much-needed work by both agencies was being hampered by the moratorium on recruitment in the public service.

“I will be making strong representations to the Ministers involved in coming weeks to lift the moratorium on recruitment in respect of certain key positions in the West of Ireland.

“I know that some OPW projects have been hampered by lack of staff and believe that the appointment of a small number of key staff would help ensure that key projects are allowed to continue.

“In relation to Teagasc, if Irish farmers are to grow Irish food producing capability and meet the demands of 21st century consumers and the targets set out in Harvest 2020, a high level of support and advice must be provided to farmers.

“Innovation is key in the farming sector and I believe that the work of Teagasc in this respect must be supported,” Deputy Connaughton added.