Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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1751. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the minimum age requirement for the green cert course is set at 23 years of age; if an exception can be made for an applicant under this age, such as in the case of a young farmer (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45597/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The Green Cert is delivered by different education providers from across the further education system, including Teagasc, some Employment and Training Boards and private providers. All providers are accredited by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), the national agency responsible for validating education programmes leading to QQI awards. The minimum age requirement is a matter for individual providers. 

Insofar as Teagasc is concerned, I am advised that it delivers the Green Cert on a full-time, part-time and distance education basis.

The part-time course is specifically designed for mature learners who are already engaged in farming. An age entry requirement of 23 ensures that participants have sufficient life and work experience to contribute meaningfully to the peer-to-peer learning model on which this  programme is built. It also distinguishes the part-time route from full-time courses in the agricultural colleges, which cater to school leavers from the age of 17, thereby ensuring that both pathways remain targeted, relevant, and responsive to the needs of their respective learner cohorts.  

Prospective applicants are advised to contact Teagasc directly to explore options.