DAFM and Revenue have a list of approved qualifications for the purposes of meeting the requirements for trained farmer status. Where persons hold a listed qualification, they are deemed to meet the educational requirement for trained farmer status.
For qualifications to be listed, a formal application is submitted by the relevant awarding body. Graduates cannot submit applications for qualifications to be listed.
The approved/eligible qualifications for trained farmer status range from National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) Level 6 to Level 8 Bachelor degree. There are no approved trained farmer qualifications at NFQ Level 8 Higher Diploma, Level 9 Master’s degree / post-graduates diplomas and Level 10 Doctoral degree/ Higher Doctoral.
Please see link to the National Framework of Qualifications for details of award levels and type here.
When checking qualifications in terms of equivalence, Teagasc follow two incremental steps are used in the process:
Step 1. Comparable award level and award type on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)
Step 2. Content review using syllabus and/or module descriptors
As there are no NFQ Level 8 Higher Diploma, Level 9 Master’s degree / Post-graduates diplomas or Level 10 Doctoral degree/ Higher Doctoral qualifications listed on the approved qualifications listing i.e. no qualifications at a comparable award level and award type on the NFQ, applications for equivalence cannot be processed. i.e. step two is only progressed where comparability of award level and type is determined.
It is advisable to check the status of courses in terms of trained farmer eligibility in advance of commencement of training/programme.