Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 28 Jan 1999

Vol. 499 No. 2

Written Answers. - Agricultural Colleges.

John Bruton

Ceist:

76 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason he is not allocating funds (details supplied) to the Association of Agricultural Colleges which provides 60 per cent of the agricultural education; if he will provide the funds required by the colleges in order that they can provide the modern facilities necessary to attract students to study agriculture and to keep them farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2282/99]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

As indicated in my reply to Question No. 139 on 2 December 1998, I am awaiting the completion of a study to establish the likely level of future demand for training in agriculture and horticulture. The capital funding proposals for the colleges will be considered having regard to the results of that study.