Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Officials from my Department have been engaging extensively with the Higher Education Authority and the higher education sector to identify where additional places can and should be provided in the higher education system. The Higher Education Authority are currently developing a request for Expressions of Interest to issue to the sector targeted at specific areas including veterinary provision.

There are significant practical elements and placement requirements as part of Veterinary Medicine Programme provision, including appropriate laboratory facilities to ensure it meets the necessary standards of the Veterinary Council of Ireland.

Ensuring a supply of qualified Vets to meet the demands of the sector is a priority for my Department. Workforce planning requirements for the veterinary medicine sector would require advice from and consultation with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Veterinary Council of Ireland, as the regulators of the profession.