asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the approximate number of young people leaving agricultural colleges and returning to farming; and the extent to which this number has increased over the past five years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural College Graduates.
27.
It is estimated that about one-third of all students attending the residential agricultural colleges each year go back to farming while most of the remainder obtain employment in services and industries serving agriculture or pursue university courses in agriculture, dairy science or veterinary medicine. The information available would indicate that the proportion returning to farming has shown no appreciable change in recent years.
The total number of students attending these colleges over the past five years was:
|
1966-67 |
565 |
|
1967-68 |
530 |
|
1968-69 |
514 |
|
1969-70 |
532 |
|
1970-71 |
598 |
Is the Parliamentary Secretary concerned about the fact that there has not been an increase in view of the need for a large number of highly qualified farmers in competitive conditions in the EEC?
While only one-third returned directly to farming, most of the remainder either pursued courses leading to degrees in agriculture, dairy science and veterinary medicine, or obtained employment in industries serving agriculture.
I agree, but would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that the fact that the total figure of students attending these colleges has not risen appreciably over the past five years, is a matter for serious concern in itself, regardless of what employment they go into after they have left?
While the position has not disimproved in any way, other schemes have come into being for the training of people who want to continue in farming, such as the farm winter schools, and so forth, run by the committees of agriculture. There are a number of farmers' sons who cannot go away to a residential college for a period of 12 months and they are availing of these schemes. This is of wonderful benefit to the country.