Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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82. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on veterinary provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15731/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science does not place a quota on the number of places on veterinary medicine courses offered by higher education institutions, and as such the number of places provided each year is determined by the institutions themselves in line with their capacity.

The HEA is currently running an expression of interest process for Higher Education Institutions interested in building capacity in Dentistry, Pharmacy, Medicine, Nursing, and Veterinary. This process was designed to respond to national skills needs, and EOIs were sought from institutions with capability to expand existing courses or create new courses in these areas in academic year 2024-25 or 2025-26.

While this process still ongoing, it is not possible to say at this time how many places may be delivered. The Higher Education Authority will consider opportunities for new programme provision alongside options for current programme expansion to determine a final list of options to present to me shortly.