Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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93. 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; and if he is confident that any newly established courses will be internationally accredited [6867/23]

Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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98. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide the terms of reference for the consideration of the location of the proposed new veterinary school and the international accreditation that will be used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6905/23]

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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99. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has given consideration to the location of a new veterinary school; and his views on whether any newly established courses will be internationally accredited. [6885/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 93, 98 and 99 together.

The Higher Education Authority has completed the first stage of an expression of interest process for Higher Education Institutions interested in building capacity in Dentistry, Pharmacy, Medicine, Nursing, and Veterinary.

The second stage of this process has now commenced with the recent announcement by the Higher Education Authority of the appointment of an Expert Advisory Panel to review the opportunities for new programmes covered by the Expression of Interest. The panel is comprised of representatives from Government Departments and regulatory and professional bodies that have direct professional experience and/or academic expertise in the relevant disciplines, or knowledge of the higher education system at a senior level.

This is an independent process, managed by the HEA. I understand that the terms of reference have not been published. A report of the proposals will be presented to me by the HEA during Q1 of 2023.

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.

Higher Education Institutions are autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own day-to-day management and operational affairs, including the management of academic affairs and course provision. The accreditation of courses with the relevant regulatory authorities in Ireland and abroad is a matter for individual institutions in line with this autonomy.