John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to preface my remarks by saying that I was elected as a Fianna Fáil Deputy and I am supporting the Government. I do not wish to sound hypocritical tonight and say that I have supported cuts in the current economic world recession and that I will not support them in my own constituency. It is important to put this on the record of the House.

I wish to raise the issue of the Salesian College in Pallaskenry, County Limerick. This college was established in 1919 and it has played a significant role in educating young farmers since then. There are six agricultural colleges in the country and Teagasc is recommending that the number of colleges should be reduced from six to two, leaving one in Kilkenny and one in Cavan. I refer to the geographical location of Pallaskenry. As well as having excellent education and training facilities, the college attracts young farmers from many counties throughout Munster. Driving, most of the young farmers can get home to south County Galway, County Clare, north County Cork or north County Tipperary within one and a half hours. As well as furthering their education, many of them are committed to working on their families' farms. It is important that we maintain the presence of a college in Pallaskenry in the heart of the Golden Vale where one third of this country's milk is produced.

I want to be fair to Teagasc, which I admire for its work, and its officials in my county in particular. They have a job to do and, in the current economic climate, their budget has been reduced by €10 million. While I accept this fact, there is room for compromise and the retention of a third college, which should be the Pallaskenry Agricultural College. The cost of the subsidy to Teagasc is approximately €400,000. However, it is vital that, alongside Teagasc, every effort be made to save the college. It has operated for many years and played a considerable role in the education of thousands of young farmers, both boarders and those who attended on a day to day basis. It has stood the farming community throughout County Limerick and adjoining counties well.

We will not always be in this economic situation and I am sure that it will improve. When it does, it will be important to have given the young people in question a solid education. Many of them have an opportunity to diversify within the various courses on offer in colleges such as that at Pallaskenry, but they will not be in a position to travel to the two remaining colleges. With the greatest respect to Teagasc, the outreach centres throughout the country that it has suggested will not replace our fine colleges.

I appeal to the Minister of State, the Department and Teagasc for a review of the situation in favour of a more sensible one. Teagasc might not be able to provide the full subsidy required, but I appeal to it. Closing the Pallaskenry college would be a backwards step. It is a fine facility and is not falling down or does not need a significant capital injection. It has excellent staff who have been tried and tested for many years. The college would be a considerable loss to those we are trying to encourage to take up farming. Many of the young people in question have the foresight to want to attend college, better themselves and get diplomas. I appeal for a review of the situation.

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Cregan as ucht an deis a thabhairt dom an cheist a fhreagairt tábhachtach seo. The Government fully recognises the importance of agricultural education and training for the development of the agriculture and food industries. This is reflected in the programme for Government's commitment to invest in our agricultural colleges and to restructure the environment through which they are supported.

Responsibility for the provision of agricultural education and training, including decisions on investment in training facilities, rests with Teagasc. Due to its important role in supporting the Government's strategy for the agrifood sector, it receives substantial Exchequer resources each year to enable it to provide first class training, research and advisory services. The total funding provided by the Department for non-capital purposes has increased significantly in recent years, from €82 million in 2000 to an average of €137 million in the years 2007-09. While this year's allocation to Teagasc of €135 million is inevitably somewhat less than the previous two years due to the necessary curtailment of public finances, it is nevertheless a substantial amount and an indication of the Government's continuing commitment to supporting the agrifood sector and recognition of the important role of Teagasc in that regard.

I am glad to say that, in recent years, we have also been able to provide substantial extra funding to Teagasc for capital development purposes. In the period from 2000 to 2005, a cumulative total of almost €50 million was allocated, comprising €27 million from the Exchequer and €23 million from retained proceeds from the sale of assets, to enable Teagasc to implement major capital development programmes in upgrading training, research and advisory facilities. Since 2006, Teagasc has commenced a further major capital investment programme with a particular focus on the development of research centres of excellence.

Currently, Teagasc delivers its education and training programme through a network of eight colleges, 80 local Teagasc centres and the Teagasc e-college. It is entirely a matter for Teagasc and its board to prioritise its activities and to allocate its resources accordingly. In this regard, a review of college infrastructure undertaken for Teagasc by an outside consultancy body was finalised last year and agreed by the Teagasc authority. Arising from this review, the authority will be making decisions on priorities in terms of future capital expenditure. A €4 million investment has already been undertaken in an extension to student facilities at Teagasc's Kildalton College, which is due for completion in May. Furthermore, Teagasc intends to upgrade student facilities at the College of Amenity Horticulture in the National Botanic Gardens later this year. This will facilitate the accommodation of students from Warrenstown Horticultural College following the decision of the Salesian order to discontinue the provision of horticultural education at Warrenstown from June 2009.

Within the various colleges and at a local level, Teagasc provides a wide range of education and training courses targeted at young people planning to embark on careers in farming, horticulture, the equine industry or forestry and adult farmers wishing to acquire a skills set or training in a particular area. Further education and training courses are available in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and horses at the agricultural and horticultural colleges. In addition, higher level education courses in agriculture, horticulture, agribusiness, agricultural mechanisation and equine studies are provided jointly with institutes of technology.

All of Teagasc's education and training programmes are accredited within the national framework under the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland. I was pleased to see that there was a significant increase in college enrolments in the current academic year, which augurs well for the future of the Irish agrifood sector. Teagasc will ensure that education and training are provided in the most effective and efficient manner in the years ahead.

I am satisfied that Teagasc, with the major capital investment programme it has undertaken in recent years and the ongoing support of the Department, is in good shape and well positioned to provide the innovation and technology transfer necessary for the sustainable development of agriculture, the food industry and rural communities through their integrated research, advisory and education and training programmes.