Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 23 October 2018

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Engagement with Chairman of Teagasc

3:30 pm

Mr. Liam Herlihy:

A report is being prepared and will be issued in the very near future. I assure the committee that it is all under control.

Reference was made to the recently-launched milk centre. This is hugely important, particularly for young farmers. Given that we are in a digital age, we need to communicate appropriately with younger farmers.

Education was covered by a number of speakers. I must be upfront and note to Deputy McConalogue that we appreciate that the waiting list is higher in his area than in others. We are very conscious of and focused on addressing that matter. I note upfront that we recognise the longer waiting list. Many questions were asked about our €56 million income. I do not have all of that but we can get back to the committee and deal with it. It is made up of a whole combination of issues. The important thing is that it is there and, hopefully, growing. We will certainly come back to the committee on that.