Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 323: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if adequate staff will be made available to a college (details supplied) in County Cork to meet the demand for evening classes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6717/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Under the Agriculture, (Research, Training and Advice) Act, 1988, Teagasc has statutory responsibility for the provision of education, research and advisory services to the Agriculture sector. It is a matter for Teagasc and its Board to prioritise activities in the delivery of these services and to allocate its resources in accordance with these priorities. Accordingly, delivery of the Teagasc education and training programme is an operational matter for Teagasc and its Board. Ministerial responsibility is confined to matters of policy in accordance with the Act establishing Teagasc and is not concerned with the day-to-day operations of Teagasc.

I understand Teagasc education programmes are delivered through a network of 8 agricultural colleges, 12 Regional education centres and 80 local centres. Teagasc employ over 180 staff directly and pay the salaries of a further 45 staff in the private colleges to deliver education and training courses. The allocation of resources to individual colleges is entirely a matter within the remit of the Teagasc Authority and is not one in which the Minister has a function.