Seán Connick (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

It is a matter for Teagasc to allocate financial and staff resources in accordance with its priorities and in line with the Government's policy. Ministerial responsibility is confined to matters of policy in accordance with the Act establishing Teagasc and is not concerned with its day-to-day operations.

Teagasc has an important role to play in supporting the Government's strategy for the development of the agriculture and food industries through the provision of research, advisory and education services to farmers and the rural economy. It is the main provider of further education for school leavers in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and equine studies. Teagasc's education programme contributes to improving the competitiveness of agriculture, food and the wider bio-economy; supporting sustainable farming and the environment; encouraging diversification of the rural economy and enhancing the quality of life in rural areas; and enhancing organisational capability and delivering value for money.

Changing market requirements highlight more than ever the need for a highly educated and skilled agricultural workforce. Great strides have been made in agricultural education in recent years. Teagasc has been to the fore in progressing the agricultural education agenda, earning a well-deserved reputation for delivering high-quality and relevant programmes for people with aspirations of a career in agriculture or those seeking employment in ancillary industries and services. These programmes are delivered through a network of eight colleges, 80 local Teagasc centres and the Teagasc e-college.

The numbers of students attending these courses has increased each year for the past three years. Last year, for example, some 1,500 new students enrolled bringing the total numbers participating in Teagasc courses to 3,200. This augurs well for the future of the agrifood sector. All of Teagasc's education and training programmes are fully accredited by the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland. The accreditation of programmes continues to raise the standing of Teagasc qualifications both nationally and internationally.

Teagasc has been seeking to rationalise resources devoted to agricultural education to reduce costs and deliver a more efficient service. In 2007, it commissioned an outside consultancy body to develop the most appropriate model for the delivery of education services. The review identified the need for critical mass within the college network of staff, students and facilities and recommended development of a new education structure around three lead colleges owned by Teagasc at Ballyhaise, Kildalton and Kinsealy, supported by 12 regional education centres to complement the activities of the lead colleges. This new model for agricultural education is being implemented.

This review of education services is part of the ongoing process of change in the Teagasc organisation. In March 2009, the Teagasc authority approved a major change programme to re-organise and refocus the organisation to meet the significant challenges that lie ahead. The planned programme has a medium-term implementation timeframe and provides for rationalisation measures across the organisation including the advisory office and educational networks, disposal of land resources and prioritisation of programme activities. The agreed actions are currently being implemented.

Responsibility for the development and implementation of the Teagasc agricultural education programme is an operational matter for Teagasc management. It has over 180 teaching staff employed in the Teagasc-owned agricultural colleges and subvents the salaries of a further 45 teaching staff who deliver education programmes for Teagasc at the three privately owned agricultural colleges at Gurteen, Pallaskenry and Mountbellew. The private colleges account for one third of all college enrolments in 2009-2010 and Teagasc provides funding to the colleges under several headings including pay and pension costs, capitation grants and student maintenance grants.

As with all public service organisations, the moratorium on recruitment and promotion in the public service announced by the Government in March 2009 to reduce public service numbers and correct imbalances in the public finances applies equally to posts in Teagasc to the end of 2010. It is the responsibility of Teagasc management to work within the terms of the moratorium and match demand for education programmes with available staff resources. Re-allocation of work and redeployment of staff will be an essential part of this process.

Following on from the moratorium, it has been agreed by the Government that employment control frameworks will be put in place across the public service to achieve targeted reductions in overall staff numbers. An employment control framework for Teagasc is being finalised with my Department and the Department of Finance. It is envisaged that it will provide for limited recruitment on an exceptional basis subject to compliance with annual ceilings for staff numbers.

I fully appreciate Teagasc's contribution to agricultural education. I am satisfied that Teagasc, with the ongoing support of my Department, is well positioned to deliver the education and training programmes necessary for the sustainable development of the agrifood sector.

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