asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the fact that none of the four agricultural advisers who have left the Teagasc service in south County Tipperary are being replaced; and if he will make a statement on the matter, especially in view of the increased workload on the remaining staff and the severe diminution of service to the farming community in south Tipperary.

Four out of a total of 17 advisers in south Tipperary have left Teagasc under the voluntary early retirement scheme. The deployment of advisory and other staff within Teagasc is a matter for the authority itself.