Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)

The decline in farm employment has been stark. The loss of employment in the construction industry, as acknowledged by the Minister, is also having a major bearing on off-farm employment.

A report by David Meredith of Teagasc's rural economy research centre in Kinsealy, County Dublin, highlighted that 70% of farmers recorded lower secondary education as their highest qualification, meaning they are more vulnerable to an economic downturn. If only 6% of farmers have a third level degree, will the Minister agree more has to be done to encourage young farmers to up-skill so if they need an off-farm income they will have good employment choices and still be able to part-time farm? Will he also agree it is important to provide proper resources to the agricultural colleges?

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