Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has secured funding for 20 additional Green Cert teachers.

A number of colleges reported having to turn students away this year due to a high demand for places and Teagasc is now able to roll out plans for more courses to meet demand. The Irish Farmers Journal previously reported that there was a scramble for places.

Minister McConalogue said he was delighted to secure the teaching posts for Level 5 and Level 6 Green Cert courses. “I sought the sanction for the recruitment by Teagasc of up to 20 temporary teachers to provide Green Certificate training, primarily in the northwest and northeast,” he said.

“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 proactive engagement in the matter.

“I am acutely aware of the huge demand for Green Cert places and I hope this move will go a considerable way to easing the burden on farmers seeking to be trained.”

Demand in northwest

Demand for course places has been particularly high in the northwest , with one course in Westport booking out in six minutes. The minister said the scheduling of posts would be an operational matter for Teagasc.

Since 2014, some 9,000 students have been on Green Cert courses across the country. Teagasc has welcomed the announcement of extra teacher funding.

Prof Boyle said: “The provision of 20 additional staff will allow Teagasc to recruit and plan ahead with a view to significantly boosting Teagasc Green Cert intakes over the coming year. We will assign a substantial number of the new staff to the northwest and northeast regions where there have been challenging Green Cert demand hotspots. Some of the additional staff will also be allocated to the southeast and southwest regions.”

Teagasc college virtual open days are as follows:

  • Kildalton Agricultural and Horticultural College: Thursday 4 March.
  • Clonakilty Agricultural College: Tuesday 9 March.
  • College of Amenity Horticulture Botanic Gardens: Thursday 11 March.
  • Private college

  • Gurteen Agricultural College: Wednesday 10 March.
  • Salesian Agricultural College: Thursday 15 April.
  • Historically, there has always been more demand for Green Cert places in times of economic hardship when jobs are scarce and people return home to the farm. This would tally with the most recent unemployment figures as Ireland continues to cope with COVID-19.

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