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. The delivery of these services is an operational matter for Teagasc and its Board to prioritise. Ministerial responsibility is confined to matters of policy in accordance with the Act and the Minister does not interfere in the day-to-day operations of Teagasc.

In the past, the Farm Apprentice Board had responsibility for farm apprenticeship training programmes. The functions and staff of the Board transferred to Teagasc, the Agriculture and Food Development Authority, in 2002. Teagasc continued to offer this programme and graduates received an Advanced Certificate in Farm Management. In line with general trends in agricultural education in the period 2000 to 2006, demand for this course declined, and student intake dropped sharply with the result that the course ended in 2006.

The demand for agricultural education has accelerated greatly in recent years. To cater for future 'professional farmers' Teagasc now offers specialised two year Advanced Certificate Programmes in Dairy Herd Management, Drystock Management and Crops and Mechanisation at various Agricultural Colleges. These specialised Programmes are very well regarded by students and are viewed by Teagasc as the essential building block for professional farmer training in the future. The Advanced Dairy Programme, for example, currently produces approximately 60 dairy graduates per year.

Teagasc is currently assessing future training needs of professional dairy farmers in light of the recent Report from the Dairy Expansion Activation Group, which recommended the current 2-year Dairy Diploma course be extended to a four-year Dairy Herd Management qualification. I understand Teagasc intend to explore possibilities in regard to a 'dairy internship' type programme with other stakeholders.