Minister of State Michael Healy-Rae has appointed a chairperson to the Horticulture Education Leadership Group.

Dr. Owen Doyle will be the first chairperson of the group. 

Doyle will serve a four-year term and will lead the implementation of the recommendations in the 2025 Horticulture Education Review Report, which he co-authored with Brian Arnold.

Strategy for horticulture

Commenting on the appointment, Minister Healy-Rae said: “The National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027 calls out the importance of education for our future horticulturists.

"Availability and suitability of the education offering is key to attracting talent into the sector, which in turn supports the competitiveness and sustainable development of the sector.  

"Dr. Doyle is well qualified to lead the important work of this group."

Reporting to the Horticulture Industry Forum sub-committee, Doyle’s first task is to establish the Horticulture Education Leadership Group.

The group will include industry representation as well as representation from a broad spectrum of education and research institutes.

Curriculum reform

Doyle will be reaching out to relevant stakeholders in the coming weeks.  

Doyle said: “My focus will be on driving curriculum reform, fostering global alignment, and building strong partnerships that position horticulture as a dynamic, future-ready career.

"Together with colleagues, we can translate the vision of the 2025 Horticulture Education Review Report into actionable strategies that strengthen our education pipeline and enhance industry competitiveness."

Established in 2014, the Horticulture Industry Forum is a grower-led forum representing all seven sub-sectors of the horticulture industry.