Paul Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the representatives of Teagasc and welcome them. I have several questions. To follow on somewhat from the questions posed by Senator Boyhan regarding Teagasc's input into the curriculum for agricultural science as a subject at second level, I would like to see Teagasc having more of an input in that regard. I ask Mr. Pettit to comment on Teagasc's current role in that regard. Regarding the green certificate - and I emphasise that I am asking a question here and not proffering an opinion - there were issues earlier in the year when many of the courses, especially those offered in conjunction with the ETBs, were well oversubscribed. There were massive waiting lists for places and people could just not get on those courses.

Much of the commentary at the time focused on there being no way during the selection process to pick genuine student farmers. I refer to students seeking to gain entry to these courses as a means of pursuing a career in agriculture or to take over the home farm. I contrast those applicants with those who were just signing up possibly - and I reiterate that I am asking a question here and not proffering an opinion - to acquire a green certificate to facilitate property transfers. Tax relief is available for the holders of green certificates. Could Teagasc change its selection process to overcome that issue, if it was an issue?

In passing, I also mention the role of Teagasc in respect of farm safety when it comes to education in the agricultural sector. While Teagasc already plays a role in this area and safety modules form part of the courses run in its agricultural colleges, and also in the courses run in conjunction with ETBs, and relevant information is also disseminated as part of its knowledge transfer schemes and shared with its clients, what about the people outside those loops? Does Teagasc have plans to address the way it can educate and-or influence those people in respect of a subject as important as farm safety? Teagasc does have a serious responsibility in respect of this role. I refer not only to education in farm safety, but the implementation of farm safety. I take serious issue with people who are not clients of Teagasc or who do not attend its courses not being addressed by the organisation concerning farm safety. I feel this aspect must be addressed.

I have communicated with Mr. Pettit regarding this next topic, which is an important one and many genuine people are impacted by it. The age profiles for full-time college education, as well as the part-time courses, were mentioned already by Mr. Pettit. Applicants must be over the age of 23 to get a place on the part-time course. There have been situations where the health of the primary farmer, or whatever, has meant that the next generation to take over the farm, whether that is a young girl or a boy, must leave school once he or she reaches the age of 17. Young people in this situation are staying at home to farm. They are the next generation farmers and they require education in this area, but at the same time they are also providing essential labour on the farm.

Such a situation may arise because of health constraints in the case of parents or the current farmer. Those young people will not be able to leave the farm and go away to college full time. People in that kind of situation are ideal candidates for the part-time course, and can do such a course, but they must wait until they are 23 years old. I see the reasoning behind the age limits for entry to these courses, and if everybody could undertake these courses part time that would not be very good for the agricultural college system in future, but I respectfully request that Teagasc take a more considerate approach to exceptional and special cases, such as those I have described.