Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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312. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the provision in place to help farmers gain access to a vet if they are having trouble doing so; and the plans he has to increase the number of large animal vets working within the agriculture sector. [36696/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The most recent figures from Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) in their recently published Workforce Report indicates 3,564 registered veterinary practitioners veterinarians and 1,265 registered veterinary nurses in Ireland. 68.2% of registered veterinary practitioners were employed in clinical practice of whom 35.5% were working in mixed practices with 12.5% working in Farm Animal only practice work.

The report made seven recommendations as follows:

1: Promoting the Role of the Veterinary Nurse.

2: VCI to Host Public Stakeholder Consultation on Out of Hours Emergency Veterinary Care.

3: Actions to Support Registrants & Improve Work Life Balance.

4: Financial Supports and Subsidies.

5: Increased Engagement with the Public and Service Users.

6: Increased Veterinary Engagement across State Agencies, Government Bodies and Other Relevant Stakeholders.

7: Economic and Social Research Institute Further Analysis.

My Department will engage with the VCI on any areas identified in their report where collaboration between my Department and the VCI can help to support and develop the veterinary profession in Ireland including in the areas of large animal practice.

My Department will also engage with Veterinary Ireland on the availability and provision of veterinary services in large animal practice.

Last year saw the announcement by the Government of the development of two new veterinary colleges in Ireland, one in the South East Technological University and one in the Atlantic Technological University. These new schools of veterinary medicine will make an important contribution towards the future supply of veterinary practitioners in Ireland into the future.

My Department continues to keep the issue of the availability of farmed animal veterinary services under review.