Two new vet schools will be located at South East Technological University (SETU) in Kilkenny, and Atlantic Technological University (ATU) in Donegal and Galway campuses, the government has announced.
The announcement was made by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Patrick O’Donovan and Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue.
The Higher Education Authority (HEA) last year identified capacity for 40 student places in veterinary medicine at ATU, 40 at SETU, and 90 at the University of Limerick (UL), as well as increased capacity at University College Dublin (UCD).
However, last week UL confirmed that it has officially withdrawn from the competition to host a new vet school due to the “significant estimated capital cost” of its proposed programme and a “current pause on capital expenditure”.
There is no proposal to change UCD’s current annual intake of 90 students for its programme in veterinary medicine, according to Minister O’Donovan.
SETU proposes a distributed model of clinical teaching, where students will complete their clinical rotations in private practices, in collaboration with its partner site located at Teagasc Kildalton Agricultural College, Co. Kilkenny.
ATU plans to deliver a full-time, undergraduate programme in veterinary medicine which will have a dual campus delivery model between ATU Donegal and ATU Mountbellew, building on existing expertise and facilities within the university.
Vet schools
Funding worth €50 million was made available for the establishment of the two vet schools, split between the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).
The funding will be allocated to support the development of state-of-the-art facilities, faculty recruitment, and the creation of innovative educational programs tailored to meet the unique needs of Ireland’s veterinary landscape.
The next phase of planning will now commence between the HEA and the two institutions, and the ministers and their departments will continue to work closely to help progress and support the delivery of the new schools.
Making the announcement at the National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co. Laois today (Wednesday, September 18), Minister O’Donovan said this “major investment” from government into two new veterinary colleges represents a “monumental step” forward for Irish education and Irish agriculture.
“Too often many of our brightest students with aspirations of becoming veterinarians have had to look overseas to pursue their studies.
“With the formation of these new schools we are offering more students who wish to study veterinary medicine the opportunity to learn and thrive in their academic careers here at home, to pursue their studies within an Irish context, and contribute directly to our agricultural, agri-food, and public health sectors.”
Taoiseach Simon Harris said the delivery of two new vet schools will also help address the need for an increased supply of veterinary professionals in Ireland and will support the agricultural and agri-food sectors.
“There are often shortages of vets in rural and regional Ireland, particularly for large animals and the location of new vet colleges outside Dublin may help assist with that and support our rural communities,” the Taoiseach added.
Speaking at the announcement, Minister McConalogue added: “Ireland’s farmers and food producers rely on world-class expertise to ensure the health and welfare of our livestock, which underpins the quality and sustainability of our agri-food sector.
“These new veterinary colleges will provide the skilled professionals we need to support our rural communities and address the evolving challenges facing agriculture, from animal health to food safety and climate change.”
“Both new schools will be located in strategic areas in the country which will foster collaboration with regional agricultural industries, ensuring that the benefits of this initiative extend across the country,” he added.
“By creating two new veterinary colleges, we are offering students a pathway to pursue veterinary studies without the financial and logistical barriers that many have faced when having to consider studying abroad,” HEA CEO Alan Wall said.