Figures obtained by the Irish Farmers Journal show the extent of the demand from people looking to take part in the Level 5 and Level 6 Agricultural course.
The course, commonly known as the Green Cert, has seen enormous demand from counties in the west and northwest of the country.
The Irish Farmers Journal previously revealed that almost 4,000 people have registered their interest this year. In a normal year, Teagasc has to deal with 500 students looking to do the course. This rose to 1,500 last year, with the demand more than doubling this year. It is being driven by the need to have a Level 6 agricultural qualification to qualify for the National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme as part of the new CAP. A person must have started an agricultural course by September 2016 in order to receive payment in these schemes.
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As shown in the graphic, most of the demand is coming from counties in the west. Over 630 people from the Sligo/Leitrim/Donegal region have made contact with Teagasc centres in this area looking to do the course. Some 508 people have contacted Teagasc centres in Mayo.
With regard to individual colleges, Teagasc’s college in Ballyhaise, Co Cavan, has received the most expressions of interest in doing the course. A total of 491 people have expressed an interest in doing the course there. Next is Mountbellew private college in Co Galway with 297 enquiries.
It is understood that Teagasc will be looking for about 25 extra teaching staff to deal with the surge in demand. As people do not have to have started the Green Cert until September 2016, Teagasc is likely to split the demand between 2015 and 2016.
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