Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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79. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the engagements he has had with his Ministerial colleagues regarding increased places for those intending to study veterinary medicine. [11792/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Currently University College Dublin is the only third-level institution in Ireland offering veterinary medicine. Demand for this course exceeds the number of places available annually.

Late last year, my colleague, Minister Simon Harris and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) issued a request for expressions of interest for higher educational institutions who were interested in building capacity in veterinary medicine, among other disciplines. Some institutions were subsequently asked to submit more detailed proposals for further consideration.

The Higher Education Authority recently announced the appointment of an Expert Advisory Panel to assist it in reviewing opportunities for new programmes in Dentistry, Pharmacy, Medicine, Nursing, and Veterinary Medicine. The HEA is due to report back to Minster Harris the end of this month.

The demand for the services of veterinary practitioners across our society has been increasing and most especially in the companion animal area. This is a trend that is also seen across Europe. The number of Irish graduates from the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine has not been able to expand to match increased demands in Ireland. Notwithstanding this, the Veterinary Council of Ireland has reported that the numbers of veterinary practitioners on the veterinary register is currently at an all-time high – in excess of 3,300.

I am acutely aware of concerns being raised about the availability of veterinary practitioners to provide services to the farming sectors across the country and difficulties in the filling of positions in certain areas.

Whilst I cannot pre-empt the evaluation process currently on-going, there is significant potential benefit if additional student places could be provided in Ireland. The decision on this evaluation lies with my colleague, Minister Harris and his Department (DFHERIS). I will continue to engage with Minister Harris as proposals advance.

Ireland has produced some of the finest veterinary practitioners anywhere in the world and we have a reputation of being truly world-class in this space.