Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

922. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the exclusion of the Level 9 MSc (Agriculture) in Environmental Resource Management at University College Dublin from Schedule 2B of the Finance Act 2007, given that shorter, fee-based courses offered by private providers such as FarmEd.ie are currently accepted under this framework; and if, in this context, he will clarify why it has been suggested that Teagasc holds exclusive authority in determining programme eligibility for the educational pathways available to meet such a 'young trained farmer' requirement, given the reality of these private providers fulfilling the requirements for Schedule 2B inclusion. [23569/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department has no role in reviewing individual education courses for ‘trained farmer’ status to enable qualifying farmers avail of certain tax reliefs and scheme payments.

As the leading provider of agricultural education courses in Ireland, Teagasc is responsible by law for assessing whether individual courses meet the agreed requirements for ‘trained farmer’ status.

It is open to any education provider public or private to apply to Teagasc to have a course considered for inclusion in the specified list of qualifications for ‘trained farmer status. Teagasc will provide the necessary guidance to education providers on the application process and the criteria that must be met. It includes the level that individual qualifications are placed on the National Framework of Qualifications and the course content. It is important to note that such courses must meet minimum standards in relation to agricultural content.

If an education provider wishes to appeal a decision deeming a course ineligible for ‘trained farmer’ status, they can apply in writing to the Teagasc Head of Education outlining the grounds for appeal.