Written answers

Wednesday, 25 March 2015

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Agriculture Schemes Eligibility

Photo of Dara CallearyDara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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85. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to explain the rationale for requiring young farmers who do not have a Further Education and Training Awards Council accredited qualification to attend classroom-based training under the new Young Farmers Scheme, when those with such an accredited qualification can complete the course online; his views on introducing a practical assessment to measure whether participants need to attend a classroom based course, or if their practical knowledge and experience of farming will suffice to allow them to complete the course online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12226/15]

Photo of Dara CallearyDara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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86. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of training places that are available nationally under the Young Farmers Scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12227/15]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 86 together.

To be eligible for participation in the Young Farmers Scheme an applicant must have completed or be currently participating in an agricultural qualification at FETAC/QQI (Quality and Qualifications Ireland) Level 6 or its equivalent. Alternatively s/he must commit to commencing such a course by 30th September 2016. Details of the educational award titles and the various course providers equivalent to FETAC/QQI Level Six are set out in the Young Farmer Scheme's Terms and Conditions.

The content of individual courses, including Teagasc online courses, is a matter for the course provider and the awarding authority and not the Department of Agriculture. QQI is responsible for the accreditation of further agricultural education awards in Ireland and all providers delivering QQI awards are legally obliged to have their programmes validated by QQI. It is within QQI's remit to ensure that programmes and awards recognised within the National Framework of Qualifications are appropriate and consistent.

As regards the number of training places, it is expected that some applicants for the Young Farmers Scheme will already have achieved the required education qualification. Data on the actual number of applicants who need to complete a FETAC/QQI Level 6 or equivalent will not be determined until the scheme closes in mid May.

Teagasc, as the main agricultural education provider, has substantially increased intake on its 'part time and distance education' Level 6 courses from a normal level of 500 annually to circa 1,500 enrolees in order to accommodate the additional demand arising from the Young Farmers Scheme and the National Reserve. A further 500 students are participating in full-time Level 6 courses in the agricultural colleges.  Another 700 + learners are enrolled in eligible higher education programmes provided by higher education institutions.

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