Vol. 517 No. 3
48 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of students undergoing courses in Teagasc colleges; the way in which this compares with the figures in 1995 and 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9687/00]
The number of students attending the agricultural colleges in the current year is 792. The comparable figures for 1995 and 1996 were 1,118 and 1,091, respectively. In the case of the horticultural colleges, the trend in recent years has been fairly stable with 275 students attending in 1995, 276 in 1996 and 252 in 1999.
An ESRI study produced for Teagasc last year suggested reasons including the following for the decline in student numbers in the agricultural colleges: declining numbers of farms; declining school-leaving population; increased availability of third level educational places, and increased off-farm job opportunities, locally and nationally, for young school-leavers from a farming background.
I once again emphasise the importance of agricultural education and training for any young person who intends to take up farming. Continuing technological and economic changes make such training essential for a successful career in the demanding world of modern farming.
I should also point out that young trained farmers can avail of significant financial benefits from the State including stamp duty relief and installation aid. Under the terms of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, the stamp duty on the transfer of agricultural land and buildings to trained young farmers is being abolished. Trained young farmers also qualify for the transfer of land under the early retirement scheme for farmers.
Last November, I established a task force to review the training needs of agriculture in the light of the changing social and economic circumstances. The task force will address the issue of declining student numbers and I look forward to receiving its report next month.
