Teagasc director Professor Frank O'Meara has said that while cutbacks are planned in 2026, the overall service provided will not be impacted.

Farmers or students, he said, will not notice any changes but that the authority is planning to make savings in areas such as events and staffing in 2026.

"We do have to focus in on finding efficiencies wherever we can – that includes some efficiencies in staffing. We will replace most of our staff who retire over the year – there will be some overall headcount reduction. We're looking at what we spend money on other than staff – that's events or print and publications. We run very big events, we want to run the same events this year, but we are going to see where we can save a few bob in terms of the cost in putting on those events," O'Meara said.

He said that Teagasc is still 100% committed to the Signpost Programme and is currently in the process of going into the next phase of the programme.

However, there are plans to reduce the number of advisers which dedicated to working on climate plans with farmers.

"We will have as big a programme in 2026 as we had in 2025 but we are finding any efficiency that we can in the system and any cost saving that we can."

In relation to the recent sale of Teagasc's Kinsealy office in Dublin to the Land Development Agency, O'Meara said that Teagasc are currently looking for an alternative location in north Dublin to service clients.

No more office closures are planned.

Income

O'Meara expects 2026 to be a particularly good year for research project income is expected to be up this year.