Education and Training Boards

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022

Tuesday, 12 July 2022

Questions (714)

Matt Carthy

Question:

714. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his proposals to maximise capacity for students applying for green certs within the Education and Training Board sector in 2022-2023. [37923/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

As the Deputy is aware, the Green Cert relates to an approved agricultural-based course on completion of which a student is deemed to be a qualified farmer for the purposes of all Revenue and Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) schemes. Green Certificate courses are available throughout 10 Education and Training Boards, covering agriculture, forestry, horticulture, and equine.

From enquiries made by my officials with SOLAS, I understand that there were some 600 participants on green certificate courses during 2021 and that there are no plans to significantly expand provision within the ETB sector. The main agency with responsibility for the Green Certificate and the substantive provider is Teagasc.