Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

UCD is talking about expanding its course by eight to ten places, which is not sufficient. There is a very strong argument for developing a regional balance. UL is a creative and innovative university and is exceptionally progressive. It has made an application and people in the mid-west support it, as do I as a representative of the people of Tipperary. How many institutes of higher education have expressed an interest under the current process?

What is the decision-making process and what is the timescale for making such a decision? Since graduate entry programmes tend to have higher retention rates in education and other professions, would the Government consider funding graduate entry for veterinary education? Will the decision-making process take into consideration the requirement for an all-Ireland veterinary programme with graduates fully accredited by the Veterinary Council of Ireland and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons? This is obviously critical as Ireland is a single unit from a disease perspective on our shared island.

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