In attempt to deal with the demand from people looking to do Level 5 and 6 agriculture courses, Teagasc has received permission to hire 20 new education officers.

A spokesperson for Teagasc confirmed that the staff will be distributed to where the demand is most acute, in the northwest of the country.

“These will be prioritised to the advisory regions and colleges where the education demand is greatest,” the spokesperson said.

Some 4,000 people have already expressed interest in the course, otherwise known as the Green Cert. The staff are likely to be hired on an 18-month or 24-month contract.