Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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1059. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the terms of reference with regard to the consideration of a location for a new veterinary school; if he is confident that any newly-established courses will be internationally accredited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1960/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Higher Education Authority (HEA) is in the middle of an expressions of interest process to build capacity in Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Dentistry and Veterinary.

No decisions have been made in respect of provision or determining whether a new school is to be established at this stage as the process is still ongoing.

An expert panel is to review all applications in the coming week. The HEA will then make recommendations to the Minister on where capacity can be increased across the country in these disciplines.  

As such, there are currently no terms of reference for consideration of a new school in any of these disciplines as the process has not yet reached any conclusions.

Any new courses or expanded courses would have due regard to Irish regulatory requirements regarding appropriate accreditation. It would be a matter for the schools and the relevant regulatory authorities to engage in respect of any international accreditation.