The Farm Apprenticeship Board has been integrated into Teagasc, the agriculture and food development authority, the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh,announced yesterday.
The Minister said the proposal, which has the full backing of both organisations, was put forward following a recommendation by the Task Force on Agricultural Education and Training.
That was based on the desirability of having national accreditation for all agricultural education and training and of having a more streamlined single agency approach.
"Arising from the implementation of the Task Force recommendations, there have been radical changes and improvements in the way agricultural education and training is delivered in this country," Mr Walsh said.
"All Teagasc courses are now nationally accredited by the National Qualifications Authority's subsidiary bodies, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC) and the Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC). It is envisaged that the FAB courses will be assimilated into this framework." he said.
Mr Walsh paid tribute to the members and staff of the Farm Apprenticeship Board, both past and present, for the excellent work they had done over the years to provide training in the practical skills and management of farming.
The board was established in 1964 to administer the Farm Apprenticeship Scheme. It was supported initially by the Department of Agriculture and later by Teagasc, which currently provides the board's core funding.