Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

447. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the assessment procedures to be used in relation to the submissions from colleges to establish the proposed new school of veterinary medicine in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3172/23]

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

448. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the assessment criteria upon which the decision to establish the proposed new school of veterinary medicine in Ireland is based; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3173/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 447 and 448 together.

The Higher Education Authority (HEA), is the funding and regulatory body for higher education in Ireland. The HEA has been working through a process to identify opportunities in the higher education system to build capacity in Dentistry, Pharmacy, Medicine, Nursing, and Veterinary. This HEA process is designed to respond swiftly to national skills needs by identifying options for programme creation or expansion in academic years 2024-25 or 2025-26.

The HEA has designed this process to identify capability and capacity within the higher education system to develop viable programme offerings for further consideration by the appropriate regulators in due course.

This process is being conducted to the highest standards by the HEA and will be externally validated as such, including by an Expert Advisory Panel. As the process is ongoing the HEA is not releasing further details at this point in time.

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

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

449. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if it is envisaged that the proposed new school of veterinary medicine in Ireland will be capable of achieving accreditation by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in the UK, American Veterinary Medical Association, the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council and the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education; the way that he will ensure this is achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3174/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

No decisions have been made in respect of provision or determining whether a new school is to be established at this stage as an expression of interest process is still underway and is being managed by the HEA.

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 the relevant disciplines.

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.