Management Changes at Teagasc

The Teagasc Authority, at its meeting today, 6 September 2006, has accepted the decision of its Director Jim Flanagan to retire on reaching eligibility for full pension on 21 September 2006.

Mr Flanagan has accepted a contract to provide services as Corporate Strategist to Teagasc on a part time basis up to the end of 2009. In this role he will play an active part, in particular, in ensuring that Teagasc fully participates in delivering the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation recently published by the Government. This strategy sets out a clear policy to enhance Ireland's capacity in Science and Technology in Agriculture, Food, Health, Environment, Marine and Energy. Teagasc has a key role in many of these areas. Teagasc is developing a new Research Vision Plan and Mr Flanagan is expected to play a key role in bringing these plans to fruition and in positioning Teagasc to attract funding from diverse funding agencies, notably the Food Institutional Research Measure, Research Stimulus Fund, Science Foundation Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, EU Framework and the Agriculture and Food industries.

Furthermore, Teagasc has decided to engage in a Foresight Study. This will complement a similar study recently initiated by the Standing Committee on Agricultural Research in the EU. Mr Flanagan will also play a lead role in progressing these studies and in ensuring that Teagasc best positions itself to adapt to the needs of its stakeholders into the future.

Chairman of the Teagasc Authority, Dr. Tom O' Dwyer thanked Jim Flanagan for his commitment and dedication to Teagasc and said he looked forward to working with him in this new and challenging role, where he will continue to make a significant contribution to Teagasc in the future.

The Authority agreed that the Director of Administration Mr Tom Kirley will take over as acting Director of Teagasc.

Dr. O Dwyer said "a process to identify a new Director will begin immediately and it is hoped an appointment can be made early in the new year. Tom Kirley, will work with the senior management team, to ensure that Teagasc continues to implement its ambitious new research plans and its programmes for the advisory and training directorates."

The Teagasc Authority has also approved the appointment of Mr Tom Collins as the new Director of Corporate and Management Services. Mr Collins is currently Assistant Director of Advisory Services in Teagasc.