Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1104. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review correspondence (details supplied); the actions his Department is taking to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10285/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware that the Green Cert Programme continues to attract strong interest in the West and North East of the country. My Department is working closely with Teagasc to ensure that there is sufficient teachers available to meet demand.

In that regard, Teagasc has agreed to bring forward a proposal to hire additional temporary teachers for consideration by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. This model has proved very effective in the past in dramatically increasing the number of places within a relatively short timeframe. Since 2014, over 9,000 people have been accommodated on the Green Cert.

The scheduling of courses and assignment of teaching posts to particular locations is an operational matter for Teagasc. My Department will continue to monitor the Green Cert situation in Teagasc closely.