Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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637. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the educational opportunities available to a young farmer who is currently in full time off farm employment and who wishes to qualify for incentives under the new Common Agricultural Policy and return to full time farming; and they are unable to attend full time or block release programmes. [4094/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Teagasc, the Agriculture, Food & Development Authority, has statutory responsibility for the delivery of education and training programmes to the agriculture sector. They deliver a wide range of full and part-time courses suitable for people interested in farming and those who wish to pursue employment in ancillary industries. Teagasc has also developed a suite of adult education programmes to meet the training requirements of part-time farmers. Courses are delivered in the 7 agricultural colleges, local training centres and online by experienced education staff who work closely with the farming sector to ensure that they remain relevant to their needs.

Further information is available on the Teagasc website or by contacting where Education Officers are available to discuss the options relative to the circumstances of individual farmers.