Macra Welcomes News on Numbers Applying to Study Agriculture Increase
08 July 2009
Commenting on the figures released today in the Irish Examiner regarding CAO application trends, Macra na Feirme welcomed the rise in the number of young people with a first preference demand for agriculture, which has risen from 385 in 2008 to 539 in 2009.
Macra na Feirme, national president, Micheal Gowing said ‘the increase in the numbers applying to study agriculture at third level coupled with the rise in numbers applying to agricultural colleges is a welcome trend to tackle the poor age demographic in the sector, however Mr. Gowing said the Department of Agriculture needs to support policies that facilitate these young people to enter the industry after they complete their education’.
Mr. Gowing said another issue that will impact seriously on the delivery of agricultural education is the current embargo on Teagasc preventing them employing the required staff in agricultural colleges.
Mr. Gowing said the embargo by the Department of Finance on the employment of staff to replace those who have for example retired, or are on a career break or maternity leave in colleges will affect the quality and delivery of agricultural education.
Mr. Gowing called on both the Departments of Agriculture and Finance to take into account the surge in numbers attending agricultural college and said ‘the fact that Teagasc were not given approval for the recruitment of replacement staff from either Government Department was totally unacceptable’.
Mr. Gowing said the facility is there for the Minister for Finance to make exceptions to the embargo and to provide front line staff in agricultural education.
