Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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519. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a degree in agricultural food science is not recognised for the green certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6249/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The recognition of education qualifications to qualify for trained farmers status is an operational matter in the first instance for Teagasc.

Revenue Leaflet SD2B lists the agricultural courses that qualify trained farmers for certain scheme payments and tax incentives. The minimum education qualification is Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications as validated by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). Holders of the Teagasc Green Cert (Level 6) qualify for “trained farmer” status.

Teagasc can validate agricultural degrees not included in schedule SD2B to assess equivalence to approved awards listed in the schedule. In order to be deemed eligible for inclusion in SD2B, the award must meet minimum standards of agricultural content. A copy of the award syllabus and content must be included with the application as evidence of the required agricultural curriculum.

Further information regarding the validation process is available from local Teagasc education staff.