Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1531. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding farm courses for new entrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25104/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Teagasc is the main education provider in the agriculture sector providing high quality education services to over 3,500 learners in agriculture, food, horticulture, forestry and equine studies. Education courses are delivered through a network of agricultural colleges, regional and local education centres and 3 privately owned colleges. They have been developed to meet the training requirements for full-time and part-time farmers and are available on either a full-time, part-time or distance education basis. All of the courses have been validated by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) in terms of their mode of delivery, duration, contact hours, module specifications, entry requirements and other criteria relevant to their delivery.

Teagasc do an exceptional job each year in meeting the education and training needs of farmers. They recognise the challenges that course attendance can pose for young farmers because of other commitments and every effort is made to deliver training in a flexible manner. Interest is particularly high at present with total enrolments to the adult Green Cert in the order of 4,500 for the period 2014 to 2016 arising from the education requirements of the Young Farmers Scheme and National Reserve. This level of enrolments has only been made feasible through the hard work and dedication of Teagasc staff and the sanctioning of additional teaching staff by my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.