Student capacity set to double at Teagasc College of Horticulture

New teaching and learning facilities at the Teagasc College of Amenity Horticulture in the National Botanic Gardens, Dublin, will see a doubling of its student capacity.

Minister of State Tom Hayes, who officially opened the €2.5m facilities said the developments included the renovation of an old building dating back to the 1700s, which features a dedicated landscape design teaching studio.

In addition, later this year Teagasc intends to conduct a significant investment programme at the Ashtown Food Centre, Dublin, that will facilitate the transfer of functions from Teagasc Kinsealy and result in the creation of a horticulture technology hub. Mr Hayes said the next stage of Teagasc’s horticulture development plan will see extensive work being undertaken at Ashtown. This will involve construction of mushroom tunnels, glass and protected structures as well as new classrooms and seminar rooms. All the investments present a very clear signal of Teagasc’s and the State’s commitment to the horticulture industry.

Mr Hayes said Teagasc’s plan to develop a horticulture technology hub at Ashtown will cover horticulture education, research and advisory services under one single management structure.