Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

There are probably 200 youngsters out of the country at the moment because UCD is not fit to take the numbers who are looking for this. I understand that there is a lot of setting up to it, but the problem is, as the Minister knows in his position, that a delay of three or four months does not work in veterinary or in college because if it is not ready for September 2025, it will not start until September 2026. I know the Minister is only new in his portfolio. The Cathaoirleach Gníomhach is from this area. He represents Carlow-Kilkenny. They are looking to make sure there is provision in that area, but it would be a great development to have a veterinary college in our area, in the west of Ireland. It would help Mountbellew because there was an agricultural college there. It would also help the college in Letterkenny and places like that where they will be doing the study part of this. I ask the Minister to focus on this and to deliver this for those two areas because it is crucial.

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