Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

The strong and vibrant economy of several years ago took people off the land and away from farming. All Members will know of young men with good well-established farms who went to work in the construction and other sectors and were not inclined to remain in farming.

Substantial investment has been made in the Teagasc agricultural colleges in Clonakilty, Kildalton and Ballyhaise. Courses are now being delivered in the evenings and an e-learning facility has been developed to suit farmers who may have off-farm employment.

At meetings with the various heads of departments in universities and the agricultural colleges, it has been indicated to me there is much interest in admissions to agricultural courses. Last September, there was a significant increase in attendance levels at agricultural colleges, a welcome development.

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