Vol. 508 No. 4
139 Mr. D. Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he has satisfied himself that agricultural education and training programmes are appropriate for the farming industry; the plans, if any, he has to update them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19096/99]
Agricultural education and training programmes are a matter for Teagasc in the first instance. They were covered in the Teagasc 2000 review which was completed last year. As a result of that review a number of new Teagasc training programmes are being introduced and fundamental changes are being made in the manner in which some training programmes are delivered. However, I have decided to establish a task force to examine the possibilities for further progress in this area with the view to servicing the needs of the agricultural and rural sector as we enter the new millennium.
