asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he has plans to increase training facilities for both farmers and farm workers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Training Facilities.
76.
A scheme which has been drawn up by my Department to implement EEC Directive 161 will provide increased training facilities for both farmers and farm workers. The scheme has been submitted to the European Commission for clearance as required under Article 10 of the directive.
Would the Minister be able to tell us how effective the farm apprenticeship scheme has been with particular reference to the training of beef farmers and managers of beef farms?
I do not see the connection between the question and the supplementary.
The question concerns training facilities for farmers and farm workers.
I have no written information on it here but from the people I have seen coming through under the farm apprenticeship scheme I would say they indicate that they have got a first-class training and are doing a very good job.
Quite so, but my question was to elicit whether the training facilities for those involved in beef farming were sufficient. Certainly, on the dairying side I would agree that the farm apprenticeship scheme has been very successful.
I am not sure whether beef was as well covered as it might have been.
Would the Minister agree with the view which is held by many that there is little point in extending farm schools at present because of the shortage of advisers and the volume of work the present advisers have to do? These farm schools are not as effective as we would want them to be.
I do not get the sense of the Deputy's question.
There are many who hold the view that the winter farm schools are not as effective as we would like them to be.
I certainly have not got that view. As the Deputy is aware, I have agreed to the appointment of an additional deputy CAO to look after these schools and education in the country generally.
I accept what the Minister has said and I accept that he is naturally very interested in this particular area of operation. There are many who hold the view that the present advisory services are so overpacked with work that they will not be in a position, even with the assistance of a new CAO in each county, to get the work done.
I do not know where the Deputy meets these people who express these views.
These views are held. The Minister may not hear them, but they are held.
Question No. 76 is very important. I hope the Minister will take into consideration the agricultural and horticultural possibilities in full.
The Minister is taking a very serious view of the position.