Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for giving me an opportunity to raise the staffing problems that are currently mitigating against the three private agricultural colleges, as opposed to the State-run Teagasc colleges. I am speaking about this issue in the context of the moratorium on public service recruitment. The college I know best, which is in Mountbellew, County Galway, has 120 applicants this year, as it did last year. During the successful years of the Celtic tiger economy, when increased numbers of jobs were available outside the farm, most agricultural colleges had reduced numbers of applicants. The huge impetus that exists in the sector at the moment will be lost, unfortunately, if something is not done about staffing levels. I assume the other two private colleges, like Mountbellew, are unable to fill positions that are vacant because of teacher retirements. The quota of teachers that exists at present means that the college in Mountbellew will be able to accept just 50 of the 120 applicants this year. When one considers that it is the only agricultural college in the west of Ireland, and that the vast majority of the 120 applicants are from the western area, one can take it that this problem is causing huge problems for everybody concerned.

In the few minutes I have at my disposal, I want to thank the board of Teagasc. Our college was on death row but, through the good offices of the director of Teagasc, Dr. Gerry Boyle, and the board of directors, it was given another two years. I am delighted the Minister of State, Deputy Connick, is here to speak about this matter because he has a direct interest in it. I am sure it is clear to him that if the embargo on replacing retiring teaching staff is continued, in a couple of years time the college will close anyway, irrespective of what will happen in two or three years time. However, the matter is much more complicated than that. It would seem daft to many people on the outside. As the Minister of State knows, the problem is that the salaries of the teachers in the private colleges are recouped because Teagasc is paying them. The ridiculous situation now exists that when a teacher retires in one of the State-run colleges, such as Ballyhaise or Kildalton, there is no ban on a replacement being recruited. However, in Mountbellew, Pallaskenry and Gurteen colleges, which are privately owned, retiring teachers cannot be replaced. If this continues, these colleges will be strangled.

I, like every other Member, understand the public sector recruitment ban was introduced to save money. In the cases in question it saves nothing, however. The same teachers in the private colleges are being paid by Teagasc anyway. It is against this background that I want the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Minister for Finance to examine the colleges in question because they are in great danger of being forced to close without anyone talking about doing so officially.

I have not spoken about this matter with the staff at the colleges. I am raising it because I will fight any day to ensure the west has an agricultural college of its own. There are different farming practices and patterns in the west and not to have its own agricultural college teaching these would be disastrous for its farming community. If this recruitment embargo is allowed to continue, the west will not have a college very soon.

Seán Connick (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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There may be a ray of sunshine after all.

Seán Connick (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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There may be.