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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 2007 to 2013; fees for research, advisory and training services; income from national and EU competitive research programmes; and revenue from farming activities and commodity levies.

Our 11 member Board is appointed by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and has representatives from the farming organisations, the food industry, universities, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Teagasc staff.

The Authority meets on the first Wednesday of every month except in August. The Authority has the following subcommittees: Audit Committee, Remuneration Committee, Research Committee, Advisory/Education Committee and Operations Committee.

Teagasc is a client-based organisation employing approximately 1,200 staff at 52 locations throughout Ireland with an annual operating budget in excess of €160 million. 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 education services

Teagasc employs 1,200 staff at 52 locations throughout Ireland.


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 education, advisory and research. Highlights of our activities and achievements in recent years can be found in:

A detailed outline of our strategy plan up to 2015 can be found in the Teagasc Statement of Strategy (PDF format, 2MB) and our Five Year Rolling Business Plan 2009-2013.



Teagasc Customer Services

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. Every effort will be made, at local level, to resolve the complaint early, and to the satisfaction of both the customer and Teagasc . If you have a query in relation to the Teagasc Customer Complaints Procedure contact us at qcs@teagasc.ie or +353 (0)59 9170200. The following documents outline our commitment and planned actions in more detail:


Office of the Ombudsman

If you feel that you have been unfairly treated or are not satisfied with our decision on your complaint, it is open to you to contact the Office of the Ombudsman. By law the Ombudsman can investigate complaints about any of our administrative actions or procedures as well as delays or inaction in your dealings with us. The Ombudsman provides a free, impartial and independent dispute resolution service. If you are a child or young person under 18 or an adult who knows a child who you feel has been unfairly treated then you can contact the Ombudsman for Children. Contact details are as follows:

Office of the Ombudsman, 18 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2
Tel: Lo-call 1890 22 30 30; Tel: +353 (0)1 639 5600; Fax: +353 (0)1 639 5674
Email: ombudsman@ombudsman.gov.ie; Web: www.ombudsman.gov.ie/

Ombudsman for Children’s Office, 52-56 Great Strand St, Dublin 1
Free Phone: 1800 20 20 40
Email: ococomplaint@oco.ie; Web: www.oco.ie


Teagasc Disability Policy

View the Teagasc Disability Policy.


Teagasc Irish Language Scheme

View the Teagasc Irish Language Scheme. If you have any query in relation to the Teagasc Irish Language Scheme, please contact us at gaeilge@teagasc.ie