Now that stands at the National Ploughing Championships have been built, used and dismantled – some of them with help from storm Ali – I asked Government agencies active in the agri-food sector how much some of these shiny marquees cost the taxpayer.
The contract for Enterprise Ireland’s €137,761 two-storey structure was awarded to suppliers Eventus and Oblique. The stand hosted the 55 businesses taking part in the Innovation Arena in association with the Irish Farmers Journal and the National Ploughing Association.
The Department of Rural and Community Development joined forces with Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht colleagues to purchase a €122,846 Ploughing stand. The Department of Agriculture’s marquee came in at €98,370, complete with a connected office to deal with farmers’ queries. Next is the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment with a €92,128 stand. All these departments chose contractor 53 Degrees.
Bord Bia paid €82,024 for the construction and fit-out of its Ploughing stand. Exhibit Design was the contractor here. Teagasc emerged as one of the State’s thriftier agri food agencies with a €78,000 budget for all of its Ploughing stand costs including the site, marquee, internal fit, hire of digital equipment, publications, photography, catering and electricity.
The Health and Safety Authority’s stand, contracted to Davis Events, cost €51,505. It included space for demonstrations of safe machinery work.
Local enterprise offices
Meanwhile, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government selected Coolsara to erect its tent at a cost of €46,193 – including space for Met Éireann. Acting on behalf of all local enterprise offices in the country, Carlow County Council paid €47,388 to Jack Restan Displays for a stand hosting the local enterprise village.
Public tenders for Ploughing stands typically include their removal before the site is returned to agricultural use, but not VAT, nor the rates of €156 to €213 per metre of frontage paid to the National Ploughing Association. I didn’t ask State agencies less directly connected with agriculture, such as the Central Bank or the EPA, nor those in Northern Ireland, but I estimate the taxpayer’s contribution to the Ploughing construction industry to be over €1m.
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Now that stands at the National Ploughing Championships have been built, used and dismantled – some of them with help from storm Ali – I asked Government agencies active in the agri-food sector how much some of these shiny marquees cost the taxpayer.
The contract for Enterprise Ireland’s €137,761 two-storey structure was awarded to suppliers Eventus and Oblique. The stand hosted the 55 businesses taking part in the Innovation Arena in association with the Irish Farmers Journal and the National Ploughing Association.
The Department of Rural and Community Development joined forces with Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht colleagues to purchase a €122,846 Ploughing stand. The Department of Agriculture’s marquee came in at €98,370, complete with a connected office to deal with farmers’ queries. Next is the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment with a €92,128 stand. All these departments chose contractor 53 Degrees.
Bord Bia paid €82,024 for the construction and fit-out of its Ploughing stand. Exhibit Design was the contractor here. Teagasc emerged as one of the State’s thriftier agri food agencies with a €78,000 budget for all of its Ploughing stand costs including the site, marquee, internal fit, hire of digital equipment, publications, photography, catering and electricity.
The Health and Safety Authority’s stand, contracted to Davis Events, cost €51,505. It included space for demonstrations of safe machinery work.
Local enterprise offices
Meanwhile, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government selected Coolsara to erect its tent at a cost of €46,193 – including space for Met Éireann. Acting on behalf of all local enterprise offices in the country, Carlow County Council paid €47,388 to Jack Restan Displays for a stand hosting the local enterprise village.
Public tenders for Ploughing stands typically include their removal before the site is returned to agricultural use, but not VAT, nor the rates of €156 to €213 per metre of frontage paid to the National Ploughing Association. I didn’t ask State agencies less directly connected with agriculture, such as the Central Bank or the EPA, nor those in Northern Ireland, but I estimate the taxpayer’s contribution to the Ploughing construction industry to be over €1m.
Read more
Ploughing Innovation Arena: vote for your favourite in the people's choice award
Ploughing 2019 to head to Carlow
Aware urges farmers to reach out amid increasing pressures
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