About Teagasc
Teagasc – the Agriculture and Food Development Authority – is the national body providing integrated research, advisory and training services to the agriculture and food industry and rural communities. It was established in September 1988 under the Agriculture (Research, Training and Advice) Act, 1988.
The organisation is funded by State Grant-in-Aid; the National Development Plan 2000 to 2006; fees for research, advisory and training services; income from national and EU competitive research programmes; and revenue from farming activities and commodity levies.
The 11 member Board of Teagasc is appointed by the Minister for Agriculture and food and has representatives from the farming organisations, the food industry, the universities, the Department of Agriculture and food and Teagasc staff. Teagasc is a client-based organization which employs over 1600 staff in 100 locations throughout Ireland with an annual operating budget in excess of €170 million. Teagasc operates in partnership with all sectors of the agriculture and food industry and with rural development agencies.
A diagram of the organisation structure is available.
We are a client-based organisation and we operate in partnership with all sectors of the agriculture and food industry and with rural development agencies. We have developed close alliances with research, advisory and training agencies throughout the world and are continuously seeking to expand our international contacts.
Around 75% of Teagasc's yearly budget comes from the Irish exchequer and EU funding with the balance generated from earned income. Some 40% of the budget is devoted to research with the remainder split half and half between advisory and training services
Teagasc employs over 1,500 staff at over 100 locations (PDF, 126KB) throughout Ireland.
- Research services are provided by 200 research scientists and 300 research technicians at nine dedicated centres.
- There are 550 advisors and regional specialists located at regional, county and local offices.
- The eight colleges and local training/research centres are staffed by college lecturers, technicians and education officers.
More About Teagasc
Historical information on research, advisory and training services can be found in Teagasc Past.
Information on our current services to Irish industry can be found in training, advisory and research.
Highlights of our activities and achievements in recent years can be found in
- Teagasc Annual Report 2006
- Teagasc Annual Report 2005
- Teagasc Annual Report 2004
- Teagasc Annual Report 2003
- Teagasc Annual Report 2002
- Teagasc Annual Report 2001
- Teagasc Annual Report 2000
- Teagasc Annual Report 1999
- Teagasc Review 2000
- Teagasc Review 1999
A detailed outline of our strategy plan up to 2006 can be found in the Teagasc Statement of Strategy (PDF format, 583KB) and our Five Year Rolling Business Plan 2008-2012, while highlights of our planned activities to 2008 can be found in Teagasc Programme of Activities 2008.
- Code of Standards and Behaviour for staff
- Teagasc is covered by the Freedom of Information Act, 1997 (FOI) since 1 November, 2002.
Teagasc Customer Charter
We aim to deliver a high quality service at all times and we welcome feedback from customers on how we can improve our service. If for any reason you are not satisfied, please tell us as you have the right to complain. Your complaint will be treated fairly and without bias, will be promptly investigated, and if we find we have made a mistake, we will apologise and work to rectify the situation as quickly as possible. We promise that your complaint will not affect how we might treat you in the future.
