Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D., has secured 20 additional fixed-term teaching positions for Teagasc.
The posts will be aimed at delivering greater resources for Green Cert courses, particularly in the north-west and northeast of the country.
Minister McConalogue received “swift” sanction through the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to secure the teaching posts.
20 additional Teagasc teaching posts
Minister McConalogue said, “I am delighted to have secured these crucial teaching posts for Teagasc to help roll out the Level 5 and Level 6 Green Cert course.”
“I sought the sanction for the recruitment by Teagasc of up to 20 temporary teachers to provide Green Certificate training primarily in the north-west and northeast.”
“I thank my colleague, Minister Michael McGrath, in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for granting this sanction. I also thank the Teagasc Director, Professor Gerry Boyle, for his proactive engagement in the matter.
“Generational renewal and the continued education of our farmers are key priorities of mine, so I am delighted to have been able to secure these positions.”
“I am acutely aware of the huge demand for Green Cert places, and I hope this move will go a considerable to easing the burden on farmers seeking to be trained.” the minister concluded.
Improve quality of education provided by Teagasc
Macra na Feirme welcomes the recent announcement that the Department of Agriculture, has secured approval for 20 additional full-time 2-year contract teaching posts for Teagasc to support Green Certificate education.
“Education of young farmers is one of the reasons Ireland is a world leader in agriculture. The ongoing dedication to agricultural education by the Department of Agriculture is excellent news for the next generation of young farmers”, said Macra na Feirme national president, Thomas Duffy.
This is an important commitment made by the Department of Agriculture, and it shows support for the future of young farmers in Ireland, he added.
“It is vital that young farmers have access to good quality education which is adequately staffed. This announcement can only but improve the quality of education provided by Teagasc.”
The news comes following a call for additional places as reported by us here earlier this week.
