The agricultural advisory authority Teagasc has been instructed by the Government to shed 109 posts by the end of the year.
Posts will be reduced through a government sanctioned voluntary early retirement/voluntary redundancy scheme, or through external redeployment to other state agencies or parts of the civil service.
The Impact trade union said the loss of these posts along with the 280 posts lost since 2008 will affect Teagasc’s ability to deliver on its statutory mandate in support of Ireland’s agri-food industry, identified as one of the key industries currently experiencing growth despite the economic crisis.
Shay Clinton, assistant general secretary with Impact, said that prior to the Croke Park Agreement, management and unions had been implementing a successful change programme which has achieved payroll savings of €16 million.
"This involved a lot of redeployment and disruption for staff, but these achievements have now been disregarded and a further reduction of 109 posts by year end has been demanded.
"These are staff who had previously made real sacrifices and responded very positively to change. Impact has called on government to re-think the number of job losses particularly when the growing agri-food sector is in need of support and expertise," he said.
Agriculture colleges are now full and courses are over-subscribed. At Kildalton College student numbers have increased from 436 in 2002 to 815 in 2010 with a further increase expected this year.
In 2002, there were 24 teaching staff and now there are 23 and Impact has said that teacher student ratio needs to be examined so that course standards do not slip.
Despite huge demand for places in Teagasc colleges, as a new generation of students flock to the agri-food sector, a strict moratorium remains in place, and Teagasc is facing the prospect of a reduced teaching staff despite growing student numbers.
“This is in marked contrast to other third level colleges, where no such moratorium exists,” said Mr Clinton.
Mr Clinton explained that between 2008 and 2011, the average number of clients per Teagasc adviser has increased from 110 per adviser to 160 per adviser.
“There are cases of more than 200 clients per adviser. Some administrative staff have been upskilled in order to assist with this heavy workload,” he said.