Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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28. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the progression of plans for a new veterinary school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23041/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Higher Education Authority recently ran a process to identify options to expand higher education provision in a number of priority skills areas including Veterinary Medicine. Proposals were put forward by a range of higher education institutions under this process. The options identified have the potential to transform the numbers of students who would be able to take up places on Veterinary Medicine programmes.

It is important to say that there would be substantial capital investment required to support the development of any new veterinary school. Consideration is ongoing as to how these capital costs could be met, and I am working closely with my colleague Minister McConalogue on this.

At the point when we have established the available level of funding, I will ask the HEA to re-engage with the higher education sector on the potential options, and we will progress to a process considering a range of factors including alignment with skills need, deliverability, and value for money.

I would note that my Department does not place a quota on the number of places on veterinary medicine courses offered by higher education institutions, and Ministerial approval is not required for an institution to establish a new school if they are in the position to fund it.

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 progressing this matter.