Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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147. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the plan to roll out the new green cert programme in 2018. [41662/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Teagasc deliver the Green Cert on a part-time, full-time and distance education basis at regional education centres and at the agricultural colleges. The "Cert" is accredited by Quality and Qualifications Ireland, an independent State agency responsible for promoting quality and accountability in education and training services in Ireland.

In 2016, Teagasc led a review of the Green Cert under the auspices of Quality and Qualifications Ireland, and in consultation with a wide body of stakeholders, to ensure that it is fit-for-purpose in terms of emerging industry needs.

The review process recommended strengthening the Green Cert across many key areas, in particular, grass management, animal breeding, health and safety and sustainable farming approaches.

The updated Green Cert commenced in Q3 of 2017 for part-time and distance education Green Cert programmes and from the start of the 2018/19  academic year for fulltime courses in the agricultural colleges.