Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Ensuring a supply of qualified vets to meet the demands of Ireland's agri-food sector is an important issue for my Department.

My Department does not place a quota on the number of places on veterinary medicine courses offered by higher education institutions. The number of places provided each year is determined by the institutions themselves in line with their capacity.

There are, however, material limits on the number of places that can be created on courses which have significant practical elements and placement requirements, such as veterinary medicine.

A number of institutions put forward proposals following the recent HEA Expression of Interest process outlining options for the expansion of existing veterinary medicine provision. The options identified have the potential to transform the numbers of students who would be able to take up places on veterinary medicine programmes.

However, it is important to say that there would be substantial capital costs associated with the provision of any new veterinary school, which require the commitment of new resources.

My Department is engaging with other relevant Departments about the capital costs for the provision of any new school.

I am continuing to work with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on the next steps.