Written answers
Tuesday, 7 November 2023
Department of Education and Skills
Technological Universities
Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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1376. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will support SETU’s bid for a new veterinary medicine school at its campus, given that there is only one veterinary school in the country presently, and given the proven track record SETU has in delivering land sciences education and related research in conjunction with regional stakeholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47264/23]
Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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A number of institutions put forward proposals, following the recent HEA Expression of Interest process outlining options for the expansion of veterinary medicine provision.
As the Deputy is aware, there is a substantial capital cost associated with the provision of any new schools in veterinary. Detailed discussions need to take place about the ways and means to address capital costs for the provision of any new school, including in the context of an expected upcoming review of Departmental National Development Plan allocations.
Given the nature of the discussions and the significant costs associated with expansion and the provision of any new schools, it will naturally take some time for these discussions to reach a conclusion.
As these discussions are ongoing between the Departments, it is not possible at this time to determine where any new school will be located.
I am continuing to work with the Ministers for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on the next steps.
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