Approval for two new veterinary colleges needed this year, Harris says

Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris has said that he would like to see at least two new veterinary colleges in Ireland approved by the Government later this year.

The Government has already committed to allowing one further college to be established in addition to the only school of veterinary medicine in the State, which is located in UCD.

The Government has received what Mr Harris described as three “very viable proposals” for a new college from existing colleges and institutions: the first in Kildalton, Co Kilkenny as part of the southeast Technological University; the second as part of the University of Limerick; and the third from the Atlantic Technological University as part of a dual campus proposal between Mountbellew in Co Galway, and Letterkenny, Co Donegal.

If two colleges were given the go ahead it would bring the number of graduates each year to close to 200.

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At present, only about a third of the 3,500 veterinary surgeons in Ireland qualified in the State and in more recent years, a majority of newly-qualified vets have obtained their degrees abroad. Of the 300 or so vets who were added to the register in 2022, 80 of those were UCD graduates, while about 220 received their qualifications outside Ireland.

Mr Harris, who was speaking at the National Ploughing Championships at Ratheniska, Co Laois, indicated that one new school might not be sufficient.

“It is my instinct we would need at least more than one,” he said.

“We should see at least two schools proceed (to establishment).”

He continued: “We should move beyond having the only veterinary school in the country, (which is) a very fine one, based in South Dublin.

“I hear that there is no shortage of vets for hamsters and guinea pigs and pet rabbits. There is a real shortage of vets for late night calls for large farm animals.”

The Government agreed earlier this year to approve evaluation for the new colleges. Mr Harris along with Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue will decide later this year as to which proposals will proceed. His indication on Wednesday was the first affirmation that two of the three colleges may proceed.

Mr Harris said he wanted to see an end to the situation where Irish students are travelling to eastern Europe to receive their qualifications as veterinary surgeons.

Mr Harris also said that his Department was creating new apprenticeship opportunities in the agricultural and farming sector.

“It is beyond bizarre we did not have agricultural apprenticeships in this country (for many years).

“I changed that and now there are 100 farmers around the country who have registered their farms to be an apprentice hub.”