Vol. 487 No. 8
26 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the moneys, if any, that have been made available for maintenance to the private agricultural colleges in 1998; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that £200,000 was promised to the colleges; if this sum will be paid; and the other colleges, if any, that have received specific substantial sums from Exchequer funding in 1998. [5101/98]
Under section 4 of the Agriculture (Research, Training and Advice) Act, 1988 Teagasc is charged, inter alia, with the provision of educational services in agriculture and horticulture. In conformity with this provision Exchequer funding for the sector is channelled through Teagasc.
The provision of maintenance grants to the private colleges is a matter for the Teagasc authority to consider in the context of the allocation of its finanical resources between its three areas of responsibility, research, training and advice. I understand that Teagasc has not yet finalised details of its budget for 1998.
