Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 July 2011
256 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to deal with the 700 applicants who have been turned away by agricultural colleges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20536/11]
View answerFollowing consultation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I have agreed to prioritise six new contract teaching posts in the Agricultural Colleges for a three year period as an exception to the moratorium. I expect that this exceptional approval of new posts will be matched by further initiatives by Teagasc to devote more resources to the Agricultural Colleges including redeploying staff from other areas of the organisation, examining class sizes in certain programmes and use of remote teaching. I am confident that the combined impact of these measures will allow Teagasc offer a significant number of additional places to students over the coming weeks.
