Tom Neville (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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754. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a matter (details supplied) will be addressed regarding the green certificate course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12819/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Teagasc deliver the Green Cert on a fulltime, part-time and distance education basis. It is accredited by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) an independent State agency responsible for promoting quality and accountability in education and training services in Ireland.

In 2016, Teagasc and QQI undertook a comprehensive review of the Green Cert to ensure that it continues to achieve its purpose and reflects the changing requirements of Irish farming. This review process was led by a Standards Review Group on behalf of QQI and included extensive industry consultation and stakeholder input. The Review Group recommended strengthening the Green Cert across many key areas, in particular, grass management, animal breeding, health and safety and sustainable farming approaches. As a result, Teagasc must deliver extra module content for the part-time and distance education Green Cert courses.

Teagasc was obliged to submit its updated Green Cert programme to QQI for formal validation and in doing so demonstrate that it is of adequate duration to meet the revised award content. Validation from QQI has now been obtained and, Teagasc plans to roll out the new Green Cert programmes over the course of 2018.