A total of 17 of the country’s regional government offices have vacancies at present, with 54 positions unfilled.

The figures were confirmed by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon in response to a parliamentary question from Fine Gael TD Colm Burke.

Deputy Burke asked the minister for the number of vacancies currently in each departmental local office and "whether the number of FRS (Farm Relief Service) operatives across all regions has been reduced in the past six months”.

In reply, Minister Heydon said: “I remain acutely conscious of the necessity for a swift and effective delivery of services and, to that end, critical staffing vacancies are filled as soon as possible when suitable candidates become available, considering the balance of needs and resources across my department.

“My department is committed to ensuring that a highly skilled, agile and motivated workforce is in place to achieve its strategic goals, including the delivery of an innovative and sustainable agri-food sector operating to the highest standards, promoting and safeguarding public, animal and plant health and animal welfare for the benefit of consumers, producers and wider society."

The minister also provided a table identifying the number of current vacancies within the department offices as of March 13, 2026.  

“My department is actively working to reduce any delay in the allocation of staff to address these identified vacancies," the minister said.

He added: “The delivery of my department's objectives with regard to the bTB (bovine tuberculosis) eradication programme's wildlife programme is further supported by Farm Relief Service (FRS) operatives.  

“There has been no reduction in the number of FRS operatives over the past six months.”