There has been a breakthrough regarding Teagasc being able to hire additional staff to meet the demand for agricultural education.

Late last week, Teagasc began advertising for part-time educational staff to teach the distance learning and part-time students.

Up to 20 staff are being sought to meet the demand from the larger than usual volume of applicants. The staff will be hired for an initial two-year period. The deadline for applications for the positions is midnight on 4 September.

Teagasc had been concerned that it could be short of as many as 30 teachers, but this has been proven not be the case. It should come as a relief to those who have applied for the courses.

As Teagasc is a semi-state body, it is subject to the public sector employment embargo. To get new staff, either temporary or permanent, a request must be made to the Government for the release of funds for additional staff.

Courses

The distance learning and part-time courses are due to get under way later this year.

About 1,000 applications are expected to have been made for the Teagasc Level 6 distance learning and part-time courses. Applications are still being processed.

Teagasc is usually able to cater for approximately 500 students. The demand is being driven primarily by the necessity to have a Level 6 education to qualify for the young farmer top-up payment, which starts in 2015 as part of the new CAP agreement. The education, training and advisory body has now confirmed that in the region of 1,000 applications were received before the deadline of 11 July.