Agriculture department cuts plan

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/8480803.stm

Version 0 of 1.

Proposed budget cuts of nearly £10m have been outlined by the Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew.

Ms Gildernew said that these savings were necessary to allow "the Executive to balance its books".

The minister announced her proposals in respect of the NI executive's review of the 2010/11 budget.

The Northern Ireland's executive's 11 departments have been told to impose combined cuts of almost £400m next year.

Earlier this month, Finance Minister Sammy Wilson outlined plans of how £367m was going to be cut from the NI budget next year.

The proposals I am announcing today protect funding for priority areas Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew

In a statement on Tuesday, Ms Gildernew said: "I have been able to agree to contribute a share of the Executive's savings.

"DARD's share totals £3.4m on capital spending and £6.3m on current expenditure.

The proposed measures include reductions in some work done by the Agri Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI).

They also include savings in staffing, programme expenditure, travel and subsistence.

A range of project savings planned include, the postponement of veterinary facilities at Belfast port, works at AFBI and how environmental schemes are financed.

Ms Gildernew said: "These savings are necessary to allow the Executive to balance its books and enter the next financial year ready to address in year pressures constructively."

She said: "I am determined to protect funding for our Programme for Government priorities and front line services, and the savings options are mostly small reductions to existing programmes."

Announcing the Budget details, the minister said: "Next year, my department intends to spend some £245m and disburse over €300m to farmers and rural dwellers, a very significant investment.

BUDGET CUTS BY DEPARTMENT Agriculture: £9.7mCulture: £25.9mEducation: £73.7mEmployment & learning: £28.7mEnterprise: £11.2mEnvironment: £4.2mFinance: £6.2mHealth: £113.5mRegional development: £80.5mSocial development: £30.3mOFMDFM: £9.3m

"The proposals I am announcing today protect funding for priority areas including Less Favoured Areas, rural development and flood defence.

"I am proposing to allocate an additional £5m of capital grant funding to Axis 3 of the Rural Development Programme.

"This money will be matched pound for pound by Europe, which means £10m going into the rural economy.

"I am also committed to improving the lot of low paid workers, so I am setting aside £2.3m to fund the equal pay deal.

The minister added: "At this stage this is essentially a draft Budget.

"I will, of course, be seeking the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee's views over the next few weeks, before the Executive makes its final decisions," she said.

Last week, it was announced two cross border bodies and the economic development agency, Invest NI, were among the first to be targeted as part of the NI Executive's programme of cutbacks.