'Is that all just talk? ' Laois TD asks if farm cash is bailing out schools
Aird warns against agriculture budget cuts as farmers face growing pressure
Diverting money from agriculture to bail out the Department of Education was on the agenda of Laois TD Willie Aird at a recent meeting with the Minister for Agriculture in the Dáil.
The Portlaoise -based TD wants to know if public money earmarked for agriculture has to be diverted in 2027 to cover the overrun in spending on schools and other areas that depend on educational spending by the State. A levy will have to be paid by all Government Departments next year to cover the cost.
Dep Aird said farmers needed certainty. He asked: “Is money coming out of the agriculture budget to go into the education budget? Is that all just talk?”
Dep Aird said agriculture was already under significant strain.
“We are at a very difficult time for agriculture. The price of cattle has dropped, milk prices are under pressure, and many farmers are struggling to make their businesses work.
“The last thing farmers need now is uncertainty around their supports or any suggestion that the agriculture budget could be reduced,” said the Fine Gael TD.
Deputy Aird insisted that all farming funding must be delivered.
“We have €85 million available, and my message is very clear: do not send any of that money back. Every euro that is allocated to agriculture is badly needed by farmers and must reach the people who need it,” he said.
Deputy Aird said protecting agriculture funding was essential not only for farmers but for rural communities across Laois and the country.
“Farming supports thousands of families and underpins rural economies. We need to protect investment in the sector and give farmers confidence about the future,” he said.
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The Minister, who is also a Fine Gael TD, said any discussions around funding related to the wider budget process and confirmed there would be no reduction to this year’s agriculture budget.
“What the Minister referenced is levies on Departments for 2027. That is part of the budget negotiations. I have no intention of coming out with less for next year than I had for this year. All going well, if I do, I will have done a bad job negotiating.”
The Minister acknowledged the challenges facing the sector: “It is a really challenging time.”