§ Ms MowlamTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many students are currently attending courses for each agricultural college(a) on a full-time basis and (b) on a part-time basis; and how many are employed at each of the colleges. [15430]
§ Mr. AncramThe number of students currently attending courses at the three colleges operated by the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland, on a full-time and on a part-time basis, is as follows:
Enniskillen Greenmount Loughry Total a) Full-time 51 315 295 661 b) Part-time 86 237 167 490 In addition, the colleges expect to deliver approximately 11,000 trainee days to people working in the Province's agri-food industry during the present academic year via short courses covering management and technical topics.
As well as providing education and training, the colleges are responsible for the Department's technology services and certain other aspects of agri-food industry development. The total number of staff engaged in providing all services are:
Enniskillen Greenmount Loughry Total 31 146 125 302 These figures include support staff such as farm workers, cleaners, administration staff, in addition to the teaching staff and technologists.
§ Ms MowlamTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many students are currently pursuing courses at the faculty of agriculture and food science at Queen's university, Belfast at degree level and at postgraduate level; and how many of them have opted for modules within the courses which cover environmental issues. [15431]
§ Mr. AncramThe number of students currently pursuing courses at the faculty of agriculture and food science, Belfast is 231 at degree level and 168 at postgraduate level.
All undergraduate students cover a range of environmental issues as integral parts of core modules within each of the degree courses. In addition, 21 undergraduate students and 30 postgraduate students are taking optional modules which specifically cover environmental issues.