Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 327: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to ensure that young farmers are encouraged to continue in their profession and in further agricultural education. [7436/11]

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 and training 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 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.

Teagasc has 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 industries and services ancillary to agriculture. These Programmes are delivered through a network of 8 agricultural colleges, 12 Regional Education Centres and 80 local centres. Teagasc provides a wide range of full-time education and training courses in farming, horticulture, equine and forestry. All of these courses are accredited by the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland.

In addition to the full-time courses, Teagasc delivers a comprehensive programme of 'Advanced Certificate in Agriculture' courses for part-time farmers throughout the country. Recent innovations in Teagasc training programmes include the use of discussion groups and benchmarking farms, financial management training, grassland technology and online learning. Teagasc is also involved with six Institutes of Technology, UCD and DCU in the joint delivery of 12 higher level programmes right up to Level 8 Honours Degree level. These linkages help to raise the standing of Teagasc programmes and provide vital progression routes for students who want to progress to higher level education.