Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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715. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will facilitate ETB network to facilitate agriculture courses for farmers in areas such as derogation of nitrates. [2841/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has no role in relation to the provision of services by the Education Training Board Network, which operates under the auspices of the Department of Education and Skills.

I am advised that Employment Training Boards or any provider can seek to deliver Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) accredited courses including agriculture and horticulture courses. Approval of a provider and validation of their programmes is a matter for QQI.

Teagasc is the primary education provider for the agri-food sector where it is extensively involved in the provision of QQI accredited further and higher education programmes. It also provides specialised and customised training to the farming community and agri-service sector as required.

Additionally, Ireland along with other European countries operates a Farm Advisory System (FAS) to provide advice to farmers on Land Eligibility, Cross Compliance requirements, Greening, GLAS, TAMS and a range of other matters to help farmers to meet their obligations and avoid financial reductions under various EU Schemes.