Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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105. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department collates statistics on the number of persons who obtain a green certificate qualification; and, if so, if he will provide a year-by-year breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17666/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department does not collate statistics on persons who obtain the Green Cert.

The Green Cert is delivered by different education providers from across the further education system including Teagasc, Employment and Training Boards and some private providers. All of the providers are accredited by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), the national agency responsible for validating education programmes in Ireland leading to QQI awards.

Teagasc, which operates under the aegis of my Department, is the largest provider of the Green Cert in the State. My Department works in tandem with Teagasc to maximise participation in their Green Cert programme. I am informed that in excess of 9,000 adult learners have enrolled in Teagasc part-time and distance education Green Cert courses since 2014. This exceptional level of enrolment has been facilitated by my Department sanctioning additional temporary education officers to support enrolments.

I have asked Teagasc to directly provide the Deputy with a yearly breakdown on Green Cert completions over the last 10 years.