Coveney: Demand for agricultural college places peaked

Current trends suggest that the demand for student places in agricultural colleges has peaked and begun to level off in relation to some courses.

That’s what Agriculture, Food and Marine Minister Simon Coveney told Deputy Michelle Mulherin in a written reply to a Dáil question. He said the large increase in the demand for places in recent years reflected the positivity towards the agri food and farming sectors generally.

Teagasc colleges were able to accommodate all student applications in the current academic year. They do not envisage increasing intake in the immediate future and will focus instead on maintaining quality and appropriate student/staff ratios.

A small number of VEC colleges have also commenced provision of Green Cert agriculture courses.

Mr Coveney said Teagasc provide an extensive range of courses in agriculture, horticulture, equine studies and forestry. The provision of additional places and courses is an operational matter for Teagasc and its board. “They currently cater for in excess of 2,000 full-time college students, some 10,000 adult learners and also provide degree-level courses in collaboration with various Institutes of Technology.”