Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Apr 1999

Vol. 503 No. 7

Written Answers. - Agricultural Training.

John V. Farrelly

Question:

65 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has received a detailed submission, The Funding Requirements of Residential Colleges for Natural Resources Sector Training 2000-2006, from the Agricultural and Horticultural Colleges Association; if so, if this submission has been considered; if he will give a commitment that funding will be made available for the provision of new facilities at the colleges including the Salesian College of Agriculture, Warrenstown, Drumree, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8486/99]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

My Department has received a copy of the submission referred to by the Deputy from the Agricultural and Horticultural Colleges Association.

Responsibility for the provision of educational and training services in agriculture rests with Teagasc under section 4 of the Agriculture (Research, Training and Advice) Act, 1988. In conformity with this provision, it is a matter for Teagasc to assess the funding requirements of the colleges and, similarly, Exchequer funding for the colleges is channelled through Teagasc.

Teagasc has made a submission to my Department seeking funding over a five year period to meet the capital development needs of all the agricultural training facilities, including the private colleges. However, as these needs will be influenced by the level of future demand for training, Teagasc, at my request, commissioned a study last autumn to establish the likely level of such demand. I will give this matter further consideration on receipt of the views of the Teagasc authority on the study which I hope to receive in the near future.