Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Mar 1994

Vol. 440 No. 4

Written Answers. - EC Funded Human Resource Programmes.

Austin Currie

Question:

300 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the provision made to ensure equal participation between women and men in all human resource programmes co-funded by the European Union in 1994-1995; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. J. Walsh)

Teagasc — the Agriculture and Food Development Authority is the body responsible for the provision of EC funded human resource programmes in agriculture. While farming and agriculture have, in the past, been male dominated sectors, more women are now choosing careers in these areas. Teagasc has taken a number of actions to promote equal participation by women and men in its programmes. These include:

—between 1992 and 1994 Teagasc implemented a NOW (New Opportunities for Women) programme to pilot training for rural women and to increase the intake of female trainees to its main training programme for school leavers. This programme concludes in April 1994. As a follow-on Teagasc propose to put on a similar course, "start your own business," beginning in autumn 1994, which will be aimed particularly at women.

—the Teagasc courses and training materials have been specially adapted to meet the needs of women, who are particularly welcome to all such courses. Further improvements in this connection are being examined as part of a current major assessment and updating of Teagasc training programmes. The methods of delivery and support material are being reviewed to cater for the needs of female trainees particularly where they are in a minority in the classroom. The assistance of the Department of Education has been obtained in this matter.

—in Teagasc's promotional and training materials special efforts are made to show women participating in its programmes. Similarly, at functions such as presentation of certificates, females graduates are given preferential treatment by way of publicity and participation in the ceremonies.

—in order to encourage the participation of women in the Farm Apprenticeship Scheme, Teagasc pays a special allowance (£300) to master farmers who take women as apprentices.

—a number of adult training programmes — specifically for rural women — are held countrywide each year according to demand.

Alan M. Dukes

Question:

301 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the reason for the delay in the payment of headage grant, suckler cow premium and beef premium to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; when each of these grants will be paid, in view of the fact that each of these grants should have been paid in 1993.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. J. Walsh)

The application from the person named under the 1993 cattle headage scheme is being processed at present and any payment due will be made shortly.

He also applied under the 1993 suckler cow scheme but as he did not apply in 1992 he has not established automatic quota rights under this scheme. If however he applies to the national reserve for suckler cow premium quota and is successful his application will be processed for payment. I recently announced that application forms for suckler cow reserve quota are now available from local offices of my Department or from Quota Unit, Michael Davitt House, Castlebar. The closing date for receipt of completed application forms is 8 April 1994.

He received an advance payment of £94.91 on 9 December 1993 under the special beef premium scheme on foot of an application lodged in January-February 1993. The balance due cannot be paid until all applications received from him in the course of 1993 have been processed. This is necessary to ensure compliance with EU regulations covering in particular the ceiling in eligible animals and stocking density.

Jim Higgins

Question:

302 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will receive the balance of his headage payment.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. J. Walsh)

The application from the person named under the 1993 cattle headage scheme is being processed at present and any balance due will be paid shortly.