Written answers
Thursday, 28 January 2021
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Agricultural Colleges
Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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342. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will insist on the suspension of the student placement component as part of the certificate in agriculture QQI level 5 and QQI level 6 courses in view of the Covid-19 pandemic (details supplied). [4874/21]
Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy should be aware that this is an operational matter for Teagasc.
Teagasc has advised that student work practice is a mandatory requirement for its QQI Level 5 and QQI Level 6 land sector awards. It is also seen as one of the most valued aspects of student's learning experience. Placements to date have gone very successfully with almost 100% uptake – the very small proportion of students not attending was not necessarily due to COVID.
Teagasc emphasise that placements at this point will only occur with the agreement of both the student and host farmer given the COVID context. It is closely monitoring the situation, including the placement approaches taken by other education providers, and will make alternative arrangements where specific COVID concerns arise on a case by case basis. Students are encouraged to discuss particular issues or concerns with their College in the first instance.
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