James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I completely agree with the Deputy. My constituency is in neither catchment but is an agricultural constituency. It is an equine constituency. County Kildare is the home of the horses. I know many people who are interested in these courses and who tell me about the ongoing demand, the need for placements and the need for vets, including large animal vets. Small practice is its own area, of course, but we need people out on the farm and in large animal practice. As regards these programmes, with Kildalton SETU and Mountbellew in ATU, the Minister of State, Deputy Harkin, is a very strong supporter of the programme as well. We have met on it and discussed it, including on site in ATU when we both visited there recently. I give the Deputy my commitment that this will be followed through. The colleges are now saying September 2026. I have no reason to doubt that. It is probably helpful that they are being candid rather than just spinning a wheel for this September if they know at this stage they will not make that. They are being realistic about their target date but I will hold them to it.

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