Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin Bay North, Labour)
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575. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the chronic shortage of graduates in the veterinary sector; and the efforts that are being made to remedy this deficit. [50144/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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My Department does not place a quota on the number of places on veterinary medicine courses offered by higher education institutions, and as such the number of places provided each year is determined by the institutions themselves in line with their capacity. However, there are real, material limits on the number of places that can be created on courses with significant practical elements and placement requirements, such as veterinary medicine.

Funding the Future, a landmark policy document, was launched in May 2022. It provides the policy basis for the vision and direction of higher education funding in a sustainable way. A key element of this policy framework is a focus on driving skills and engagement, with a particular focus on essential public services. Through this policy framework my Department and HEA will strengthen planning for provision, and alignment between the sector and the national skills architecture, including workforce planning for key public services.