Performing the official opening of new teaching and learning facilities at the Teagasc College of Amenity Horticulture in the National Botanic Gardens, the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Tom Hayes, TD praised the recent developments at the College which will see a doubling of its student capacity.

The developments at the College of Amenity Horticulture cost €2.5m and involved construction of new teaching facilities as well as renovation of an old building dating back to the 1700's which now includes 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.

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Referring to these developments, Minister Hayes said: "I am also looking forward to the next stage of Teagasc's horticulture development plan that will see extensive work being undertaken at Ashtown. This will involve construction of new mushroom tunnels, glass and protected structures as well as new classrooms and seminar rooms.

"When the investments proposed for and already undertaken at Ashtown are combined with the recent investment at the College of Amenity Horticulture, it presents a very clear signal of Teagasc's and the State's commitment to Ireland's horticulture industry."

(CD/JP)