David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 324: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on allowing graduates of the bachelor of agricultural science offered by University College Dublin to be eligible for the young farmers installation scheme; the reason this degree course is not considered an eligible qualification in view of the fact that other bachelor of agricultural science qualifications such as forestry, horticulture, landscape and sportsturf management are eligible under the scheme and the importance of environmental issues in the agricultural industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35044/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The relevant educational qualifications for the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme are set out in Appendix 2 to the Scheme. A Degree in Agri-Environmental Science awarded by UCD is not a specific qualification for the purposes of this Scheme.

Teagasc has examined the Agri-Environmental Science Degree and has taken the view that it does not have sufficient production agriculture and farm business management content in the core modules to meet the requirements of the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme. However, my Department has recognized that some students may have chosen production agriculture and farm business management as their options/electives in the degree programme. Teagasc and UCD have agreed on a list of options/electives, when achieved as components of, or additions to the Agri-Environmental Science Degree that will enable Teagasc to issue letters of equivalence for the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme.

I would suggest that any individual with concerns about this Degree contacts my Department to determine, firstly, if the options/electives completed meet the above requirements and, secondly, what additional options/electives must be undertaken in order to meet the qualification requirements for the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme.