Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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25. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of students attending agricultural colleges; his plans to examine the level of teaching resources available to meet student demand in these colleges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41234/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Teagasc is the main provider of education programmes in agriculture, food, horticulture, forestry and equine studies. In excess of 3,500 learners participate annually in Teagasc further education programmes and higher education programmes which are jointly delivered with various Institutes of Technology and Universities. Typically, over two-thirds of learners attend the 7 agricultural colleges in the Teagasc network with the balance attending part-time programmes at 12 Teagasc Regional Education Centres and local advisory offices. Apart from this, in excess of 5,000 adult farmers and industry personnel participate in short term training programmes annually. Teagasc currently employ just over 1,200 staff working in the research, advisory and education directorates. The allocation of resources to particular directorates is an internal operational matter for Teagasc management to determine. My Department has responded positively to the demand that has arisen for additional college places in recent years sanctioning a number of exceptional appointments in the agricultural colleges.

My Department has also been working closely with Teagasc to address staffing issues in relation to the delivery of the part-time Teagasc Green Cert. In conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Teagasc was approved to appoint 40 new temporary teachers to meet the demand from young farmers for Green Cert courses. It enabled Teagasc to increase enrolments from 500 in a typical year to 2,300 since late 2014. Subject to demand, it has been agreed that Teagasc can recruit a further 30 temporary teachers and 7 admin staff for the Green Cert bringing the total allocation of temporary resources to 77. It will help to ensure that every farmer who requires a Green Cert place can be accommodated.

More generally, we have recently agreed new delegated sanction arrangements to provide Teagasc with greater flexibility over permanent staff appointments in research, advisory and education. The arrangements will enable Teagasc to replace staff when they retire and to make new appointments in specified grades, subject to compliance with multi-annual pay ceilings. While Teagasc must remain within its overall pay budget, the flexibility provided by the new arrangements will allow them to fill a significant number of critical vacancies and to react faster when such vacancies arise in the future. I understand Teagasc plan some appointments in the agricultural colleges to meet the current spike in demand for places.

I am confident that the new arrangements will greatly assist Teagasc in delivering much needed advice; support and training to farm families and the wider agri-food industry.