Michelle Gildernew yesterday announced her proposals in respect of the Executive's review of the 2010/11 budget which she said would protect funding for priority areas.
However she warned the proposed savings would mean reductions in some lower priority work done by the Agri Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI); reassessment of money set aside to offset the risk of disallowance by the European Commission; and a range of savings in staffing, programme expenditure, travel and subsistence. They also include a range of project savings on the capital side, including the postponement of veterinary facilities at Belfast port, works at AFBI and rebalancing how environmental schemes are financed.
The Minister also outlined the Department's plan to spend some £245million and disburse over €300million to farmers and rural dwellers.
"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 £5million of capital grant funding to Axis 3 of the Rural Development Programme. This money will be matched pound for pound by Europe, which means £10million going into the rural economy," she added.
"I am also committed to improving the lot of low paid workers, so I am setting aside £2.3million to fund the equal pay deal.
"I have been able to agree to contribute a share of the Executive's savings. DARD's share totals £3.4million on Capital spending and £6.3million on Current expenditure. 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."
Discussing the impact of the budget revisions, she added: "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. My proposals have considered carefully equality considerations and are subject to ongoing impact assessment. Although there will be some impact on the front line, and job numbers, we are trying to minimise those impacts," the Minister added.
Turning to incoming priorities, the Minister added: "Importantly the draft Budget will enable DARD to continue to help agri food businesses and rural small and medium enterprises develop and grow and contribute to a more sustainable environment. It will allow us to continue to implement the Rural Development Programme, and continue work to develop proposals for a Rural White Paper.
"I am continuing to fund the implementation of the Floods Directive by Rivers Agency, as well as reducing the number of properties at risk of flooding from rivers and the sea. Money for maintaining flood defence and drainage infrastructure in a satisfactory condition is also secured."
Referring to the Programme for Government, the Minister said: "Since 2008, my department has made significant progress against the targets which it set itself in the Programme for Government. We have invested £13million to help improve agricultural competitiveness. Over 2,000 people have gained agri-food qualifications and are working in that sector; animal disease levels are falling; and the Executive has agreed my proposals for developing a Rural White Paper which will set out the actions to be taken to address the challenges facing our rural communities. We are also taking forward environmental improvements and are delivering on our rural poverty and social exclusion commitments."
"There are tough but manageable times ahead. What is important is that we have a plan to balance the books. We took decisions about the department's 2001/11 spending plans back in 2007/08. Since then circumstances have changed and new priorities have emerged. I am proposing to scale back spending in some areas to meet the Executive's requirements and create space to fund pressures.
"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."
More details on DARD's Budget are available online at: http://www.dardni.gov.uk