John Ellis (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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Question 245: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the funding allocated by her Department for agricultural education. [16551/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The funding provided by my Department to Teagasc for non-capital purposes in 2005 amounted to €107 million for research, education and training programmes and advisory services. It is Teagasc's responsibility to allocate this funding in accordance with its priorities. In addition, under the national development plan, NDP, €11.6 million was allocated to Teagasc for agricultural training this year. In general Teagasc usually allocates 19% of its overall operating budget —€155 million in 2005 — for education and training programmes.

My Department provides funding also under the NDP equine measures for agricultural education. The funding allocated this year is €376,000, broken down as follows: €305,000 for distance learning diploma and certificate courses in equine science run by the University of Limerick; and €71,000 for educational courses in equine health and husbandry, nutrition, stud management and quality breeding run in conjunction with the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association.