Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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2606.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the development plans for a college in County Tipperary (details supplied); if the Government will consider the college in future capital investment plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31602/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Gurteen College, which the Deputy asks about, is a private agricultural training institution which does not receive direct funding from my department, nor is there any direct oversight of their operations. My understanding is that the college provides training services, funded by both participants themselves and by Teagasc. I understand that the main agency with responsibility for the Green Certificate and the substantive provider is Teagasc.

In the agricultural training space, my department provides funding to a range of Universities, Technical Universities that fall within the remit of the HEA and Further Education providers, under the remit of SOLAS. For example, Green Certificate courses are available throughout 15 Education and Training Boards, covering agriculture, forestry, horticulture, and equine studies. From enquiries made by my officials with SOLAS, I understand that there have been 1,320 participants on green certificate courses from January to June 2024.