asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the action he proposes to take to encourage greater use of the agricultural colleges.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Colleges.
10.
The number of students attending the State and Stateaided agricultural colleges in 1974-75 was somewhat lower than in the previous year and represented about 87 per cent of total capacity. The cost of education at the colleges is subsidised by my Department and this assistance is supplemented by a considerable number of scholarships made available annually by the county committees of agriculture. The increased emphasis now being placed by the advisory services on agricultural education and the imminent introduction of new short-term training courses for farmers under EEC Directive No. 161 should lead to maximum utilisation of the available facilities at the colleges.
Is the Minister aware that all the agricultural colleges have increased their fees quite substantially for the coming year? Does he not feel there will be a further fall off in scholarships due to the shortage of money at county committee of agriculture level?
The Deputy is widening the scope of the question.
I am not aware of any shortage of money for scholarships at county committee of agriculture level, and I am sure the Deputy is not aware of any either.
I am so aware. In my own county in the coming year we will have to find extra money.
Did the council refuse to strike a rate?
No. We have been notified of this.
The Minister is agreeable up to the agreed level. They have a long way to go in Wexford to reach that level.
Would the Minister accept that it is now more necessary than ever that the agricultural colleges should be used to the best advantage? If there is a falling off everything possible should be done to ensure that it is arrested.
The reply indicates that there is no evidence of any serious reduction in the number of people attending the colleges or in the use of the agricultural colleges. I would hope it would increase rather than diminish.
Under directive No. 161 it is now costing the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries £300 to send students to these colleges with a 25 per cent grant for a 12 weeks' course.
Has the Minister any indication of the trend in the different parts of the country in the fall off? That is very important. Has the fall off been in the east or the west?
There has always been a slackness in certain areas where people are not inclined to let their sons go to college for a whole year. There is an economic loss.
I would like to know where the fall off was. Was it due to lack of confidence?
There is no serious fall off.