Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this issue. I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Harris, who is attending a Cabinet meeting.

The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science does not place a quota on the number of places on veterinary medicine courses offered by higher education institutions.As such, the number of places provided each year is determined by the institutions themselves in line with their capacity.

However, in light of Funding the Future, the funding and reform policy framework for higher education, which specifically identifies skills needs as a priority when expanding provision of higher education, the Higher Education Authority, HEA, recently sought expressions of interest from higher education institutions interested in building capacity in dentistry, pharmacy, medicine, nursing and veterinary from the academic year 2024-25 or 2025-26. This process was designed to respond swiftly to national skills needs, as outlined by the Senator, and expressions of interest were sought from institutions with the capability to expand existing courses or offer new programmes in these areas. Expression of interest is the first stage of a two-part selection process. On receipt of the expressions of interest, the HEA, with the support of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, will shortlist expressions that show evidence that an institution has the potential to build capacity in the identified discipline in the specified timeframe.

The HEA has informed the Department that 39 expressions of interest have been received across the five disciplines. Of these, 20 have proposed the delivery of new courses and 19 are proposing to expand on existing courses in the selected disciplines. Overall, responses represent a rapid, nationwide engagement with the call, with expressions of interest in developing new courses in the areas of pharmacy and veterinary from all four provinces. The HEA is currently reviewing applications with a view to moving to the second stage of the assessment process, which will involve a review by an expert panel. Panels may be comprised of representatives from professional or regulatory bodies, international experts, and representatives from the HEA, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, the Department of Health and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, as appropriate. Applications are due by Monday, 16 January 2023. I understand the HEA has been in contact with the relevant institutions to advise them of the next steps.