Application numbers for the Green Cert are down 4.5% on last year, figures from Teagasc show. However, applications are still being made for the level five certificate in agriculture.

The number of actual participants in the course will depend on CAO offers. Generally, about 60% of agricultural applicants convert into students on the ground so 888 applications should convert into 533 students. However, in 2018 the conversion rate fell to 50%, which if repeated in 2019 could see 444 students enrol.

A spokesperson for Teagasc said that applications for the 2019 level six advanced programmes have increased since full-time students must now progress on to a level six advanced certificate programme. Provisional offers have been made to students, who should confirm acceptance of places immediately, Teagasc says.

Late applications can still be made for the level five programmes despite the passing of the closing date.

“Students enrolling in courses in 2019 should graduate in 2021 and be in a position to benefit from schemes/reliefs supporting generational renewal under the CAP programme,” the spokesperson for Teagasc advised.

Application numbers for level five forestry, horticulture and equine are holding steady. Again, applications can still be made despite the passing of the closing dates for these programmes.

In terms of horticulture, 2018 applications closed on 31 May 2018. The figures in the table above of 110 is one month later for 2019.