Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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449. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will make a statement on the need for increased veterinary supports in rural areas. [52235/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The most recent figures from Veterinary Council of Ireland indicates that there is an all-time high number of 3,352 veterinarians in 745 veterinary practices in Ireland. My Department is aware however of reports of difficulties of recruiting and retaining veterinary assistants currently and especially in farm animal practices.

My Department is updating the 2020 evaluation of the availability of farmed animal veterinary services in Ireland which is available at gov.ie - An Evaluation of Farmed Animal Veterinary Services in Ireland Report (www.gov.ie)www.gov.ie/en/publication/ad113-an-evaluation-of-farmed-animal-veterinary-services-in-ireland-report/

We will continue to monitor this situation closely and will work with all stakeholders to ensure Irish farmers are adequately supported with the provision of veterinary services in the best interests of animal health and welfare.

My Department continues to keep the issue of the availability of farmed animal veterinary services under review.