Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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102. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current number of places that are available to those wishing to study veterinary medicine; what his engagement is with the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to increase the current number of places available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18543/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that it is my colleague Minister Harris and his Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science that has responsibility for the higher education sector and that Department may have the more definitive data on the matter.

I understand from recent data circulated from University College Dublin, which is the sole provider of education of veterinary medicine in Ireland, that currently it has over 600 students of veterinary medicine across its two undergraduate programmes - (Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine Graduate entry).

It is also clear that a significant number of Irish students now take the opportunity to study veterinary medicine in other EU countries. Minister Harris and I have both indicated that this is something that merits evaluation. In recent months, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) sought expressions of interest from higher education institutions interested in providing additional capacity in the area of veterinary medicine education. Minister Harris has indicated that he has recently received a report from the HEA on the matter which he is now considering and that he will consult with me on the issue in the very near future.