Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

10. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of higher demand for Teagasc level 5 and level 6 courses, due to the need for them to qualify for the young farmer top-up payments from next year, if he will act to set aside the embargo on public sector recruitment and provide Teagasc with the staff it needs to fulfil the new demand for places. [26144/14]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My question relates to the Harvest 2020 and the new payments for young farmers and the consequent demand for Teagasc courses. I ask the Minister of State if he will consider increasing Teagasc staff numbers to allow young farmers to meet the requirements for top-up payments.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Teagasc has statutory responsibility for the provision of education, research and advisory services to the agricultural sector. Programmes and activities are developed in conjunction with clients and partners overseen by an authority that is representative of the main stakeholder groups in the agrifood sector. Teagasc employs over 1,100 staff in 50 locations throughout the country.

The education function works in partnership with many other education stakeholders, including universities, institutes of technology and others, to deliver quality-driven education courses in agriculture, food, horticulture, forestry and equine studies. It is a matter for Teagasc to prioritise activities in the delivery of education services and to allocate resources in accordance with these priorities. The question of providing Teagasc with additional resources into the future must have regard to the ongoing moratorium on recruitment which requires all public service organisations to do more with less in order to reduce the public service pay bill.

My Department has responded positively to the demand that has arisen for additional college places in recent years, sanctioning a number of exceptional appointments in the agricultural colleges. Teagasc was granted sanction in 2011 to recruit six contract teachers to cope with staff shortages and increased course applications. A further six teaching posts were approved in 2012 to cover short-term absences in the colleges. More recently, my Department, in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, approved 11 new posts in Teagasc, including three posts in the education function. Teagasc has also been approved to fill some critical gaps in the education function by way of internal promotions.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

At the same time, Teagasc introduced a number of complementary initiatives to maximise student participation, including increased student-teacher ratios, redeployment of advisory staff to the agricultural colleges and subcontracting the delivery of specific education modules across a number of colleges and local centres.

Under the new direct payment regime which takes effect in 2015, Ireland will implement the young farmers scheme and will establish a national reserve. A person who qualifies as a young farmer will have automatic access both to the young farmers scheme and to the national reserve. To qualify as a young farmer, a person must satisfy a number of conditions, including that he or she has successfully completed a recognised course of education in agriculture giving rise to an award at FETAC level 6 or its equivalent.

Teagasc reports that demand for full-time courses in the agricultural colleges is similar to 2013 levels, which suggests that the new direct payments regime is not impacting on post-leaving certificate applications for full-time education. Teagasc reports an increase in expressions of interest for part-time and distance education courses arising from the measures agreed in the young farmers scheme and the national reserve to prioritise support to young farmers. The actual number of applications that may materialise is unknown at this juncture. Historically, there has been some leakage between expressions of interest and acceptance of offers in respect of part-time and distance education courses.

Teagasc is committed to a significant intake of 500 new learners on part-time and distance education level 6 courses this autumn, based on existing resources levels. I understand that Teagasc plans to open the application process shortly in order to measure the number of applicants who may wish to start a course in the autumn. The demand for courses will be clearer once this process is complete. Officials from my Department are working closely with Teagasc to explore all available options on how best to manage any additional demand that may arise from the national reserve and young farmers scheme.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I welcome that the Minister of State has approved extra staff for Teagasc. It is important that young farmers qualify for top-up payments because their contribution to the general economy is so essential. I hope the Minister of State will bear in mind that despite the fact of the moratorium on recruitment, these schemes for young farmers will be of economic benefit to the country. I ask that extra staff should be provided if necessary.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I met with the Teagasc board recently and that issue was raised. I will look favourably on it in the future. Teagasc is doing an exceptionally good job and agricultural education is vital. The demand for more knowledge and new skills to develop farming businesses was evident at Grange yesterday. The food industry faces a significant challenge and we must keep in mind the projections under Harvest 2020. There are great employment possibilities but central to all this is the education of farmers and this is Teagasc's role. I agree with Deputy Ferris's sentiments. I have given a commitment to the board of Teagasc that we will not stand in the way of that education in order to help the people who are participating in the industry which is growing apace.