Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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909.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide the breakdown of the number of veterinary places available in each university, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25181/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Currently there is only one undergraduate programme for Veterinary Medicine which is in University College Dublin, the annual intake of new entrants is 80 students per year.

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. That is a matter for individual HEIs in line with their autonomy and capacity.

As the Deputy may be aware, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) ran an expression of interest process to expand provision in a number of disciplines, including Veterinary Medicine. The options identified have the potential to transform the numbers of students who would be able to take up places on Veterinary Medicine programmes.

Expansion of the existing programme, or establishing new programmes would require substantial capital investment. Engagements are ongoing as to how these capital costs could be met, and I am working closely with my colleague Minister McConologue to establish next steps in this process.

I am continuing to work with the HEA and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on progressing this matter.