Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Pushing on, the witnesses mentioned Beyond the Trees at Avondale. I have been there many times. It is fantastic. It is sad that we no longer have a forestry school in Avondale. I do not know what the future plans of Coillte are in that regard but I want to tip on in terms of education and forestry training. At the higher end there is the degree and all that, while further down there is great potential for apprenticeships. Coillte has done a bit of work on that but a hell of a lot more could be done. Coillte has the forestry side, the nurseries bit and the silviculture bit but there is a real opportunity. This is also about selling a message. Coillte has really sharpened up on its corporate messages in recent years. That is clear to see from its website, which I looked at today. It is fantastic and sets things out really well. I ask the witnesses to touch on Coillte's forestry training, its plans and how that will fit in regionally. Are there plans to open a forestry school? I know it has become an academic degree course but there is a need at all levels. A person does not need a degree in forestry to be a good and practical forester. There is need all the way through. I ask the witnesses to take us through the plans at the various entry points for forestry in terms of Coillte's commitment to forestry education.