Teagasc upgrades training facility
The innovations, costing €1.3 million, are part of a major upgrade of Teagasc’s teaching and training facilities.
Kildalton College, which has a student population of 370, is the main Teagasc training facility in the south-east.
Originally acquired as an agriculture and horticulture college in 1971, it is now the largest training centre within the Teagasc network of colleges.
The college has developed a strong partnership with Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT). Students can progress to ordinary degrees (diploma level) in the joint agriculture, horticulture and forestry courses offered by WIT and Kildalton.
Teagasc also provides a comprehensive range of courses, skills training and information events at Kildalton for farmers and agri-food personnel.
Teagasc chairman Dr Tom O’Dwyer said the authority is investing in excess of €15 million to upgrade educational and student facilities in agricultural and horticultural colleges.
The annual Teagasc expenditure on its education and training programmes amounts to €20 million.
Almost 14,000 people participate in education programmes annually.
The review of its review education and training programmes was undertaken by the Teagasc Education and Training Forum, chaired by Professor John Coolahan.
Following the opening, the Taoiseach planted a tree in the college grounds.
He later visited the nearby Iverk Agricultural Show, first held 179 years ago on the front lawn of Bessborough House, now Kildalton College.
