Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The horticulture industry was worth an estimated €566 million in 2023. The industry covers a broad and diverse range, including mushrooms, potatoes, field crops, protected fruit and vegetables, outdoor soft and top fruit, hardy nursery stock, protected crops, Christmas trees, cut foliage, outdoor flowers, bulbs and turf grass. However, Ireland imports approximately 85% of our fruit and vegetables and possibly over 60% of our other plants needlessly at some risk to our country considering the potential impact of importing deadly pests and diseases. Recent examples have been ash dieback and sudden oak death which are causing havoc in our rural and urban landscapes, forestry, wood and our woodland industries.

For such a vital industry with such prospects, why is the industry not growing? Considering that we import so much, why have the Government and previous Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Governments done little or nothing to protect the industry? Possibly the most important element to the industry is its people. Operatives, managers and entrepreneurs are the heart of horticulture as with most industries. Attracting people to industries of vital national importance is surely part of a government's remit? However, our education system fills courses with students who may never find work in the areas they are studying. Industries like horticulture are stagnating without new Irish people to lead it with the numbers of students in horticulture nationally in a steady decline.

Would the Taoiseach agree that industry is only as good as the people who lead it? Would he agree that the better equipped those people are with, for example, education, the better the chance they will have to innovate and grow the industry, providing jobs, tax revenue and solutions to vital food and biodiversity security, and reducing carbon miles? What are the Government's plans for the horticulture industry and horticulture education nationally?

Not so long ago I brought to the Taoiseach's attention in this House the case of a vital level 5 ETB horticulture course in Skibbereen that Cork ETB plans to discontinue. However, that course has more applicants normal for this time of year - it gets most applicants in August and September. The ETB claims not to have viable numbers after sending people away from doing the course, even though people want to do it. One wonders why. Is it rationalisation or perhaps making life easy for administrators? What can be more important than the sustainability and viability of our country? At a time when vital sustainable industries that can help reduce climate change impacts are so needed, why are we shutting down vital horticultural courses? The industry is crying out for people.

Is there anyone at the helm of the ship on education and the direction of the industries of this country? Even other Departments are investigating education in horticulture at present, as it is affecting the potential of the industry. Can career guidance in secondary schools be used to explain how important the industry is? Can horticulture be prioritised as a vital sector to fast-track industry development and replace carbon costly imports? Can the Taoiseach see to it that proper investment be made in promoting and supporting horticulture education in Ireland and that the level 5 course in horticulture in Skibbereen be reinstated with immediate effect?

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