Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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27. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the veterinary and pharmacy courses at SETU. [14633/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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As was announced in 2024, a Master of Pharmacy and a Veterinary Medicine degree in South East Technological University have been recommended for progression under the HEA Expression of Interest process. It is anticipated that these programmes will have their first intake in September 2026, with up to 40 students on each programme. Engagement with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland and Veterinary Council of Ireland is ongoing in relation to professional accreditation of these new programmes.

The introduction of these programmes is significant both for the south east region and nationally. The programmes will help to meet the skills demands of the veterinary and healthcare sectors and contribute to the retention and development of the vibrant agricultural and pharma industry base in the region.

As you can appreciate delivery of these programmes is complex. Regulatory and curricular approval, staffing, equipment and laboratory facilities must be in place before they can be opened for application. Admissions criteria and entry routes will be determined by the Universities and will be published when the programmes open for application.

SETU has a strong track record of undergraduate education and research activity in disciplines such as Agricultural Science, Animal Health and Welfare, Food Science, Biosciences, Molecular Biology, Pharmaceutical Science and Healthcare, and I am very pleased to see that they are building on this expertise as they provide opportunities for students in the region to train veterinarians and pharmacists.

John Clendennen (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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28. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the work being done to ensure the most efficient use of further and higher education facilities, including, for example, at night and weekends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14618/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Higher Education Institutions are autonomous bodies who regulate their own administrative and academic affairs, including in relation to issues such as timetabling and usage of space.

My Department supports Further and Higher Education Institutions in delivering courses which are flexible to suit learners needs, whether full time, part time, evening or weekend. Many HEIs already provide learning opportunities at evenings and weekends.

A variety of methods are used by Education and Training Boards and Higher Education Institutes to manage facility utilisation rates. SOLAS and the HEA work closely with these institutions to ensure facilities are used to their fullest potential. For example, the HEA funded an asset utilisation survey in the academic years 2023-24 and 2024-25, to help individual Higher Education Institutions better understand their own building usage during the working day. A report on this survey is expected to be published, later this year. Robust examination of learner demand analysis and consideration against space requirements is undertaken for all Further and Higher Education Project work as part of the appraisal process of applications.

My Department is committed to providing diverse and flexible education pathways that meet the needs of individuals, employers, and society. This includes expanding options for individuals to avail of learning outside of traditional full-time education. Some of the initiatives to support this include Springboard+, Micro-credentials and the Student Part-Time Fee Scheme for Specified Undergraduate Courses.