New third-level vet schools will be hosted across campuses in Donegal, Galway and Kilkenny, Agriland understands.
Sources have indicated that two new veterinary schools will be established at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) and South East Technological University (SETU).
The former university will host its courses at its campuses at Donegal and Galway, while SETU’s courses will be hosted at its Kilkenny campus.
The two technological universities are set to be ratified as Ireland’s new veterinary schools at a meeting of the Cabinet today (Wednesday, September 18), it is understood.
The confirmation of ATU and SETU comes after the University of Limerick (UL) officially withdrew from the competition to host a new veterinary medicine school in the Republic of Ireland.
Following a call by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) seeking expressions of interest in building capacity across several areas – including veterinary medicine – UL submitted a proposal in April 2023.
This proposal was deemed viable by the HEA and was one of three to proceed to the next stage, with a business case to be assessed, according to the university.
However, Shane Kilcommins, acting president of UL, said in a statement last week: “In late 2023, UL established a Veterinary School Planning Committee, which examined a number of options, both on and off campus, for delivery of the new school.”
“However, given the significant estimated capital cost of the proposal, the current pause on capital expenditure and the circumstances the university finds itself in, and having considered it at Executive Committee, I have written to HEA CEO Alan Wall to withdraw UL’s expression of interest as part of this process.” Kilcommins added.
“We recognise the pressing need for additional veterinary places, and we remain interested in responding to that in the medium-term,” the UL acting president commented.
Ireland currently only has one school of veterinary medicine based at University College Dublin (UCD).
The withdrawal of UL left only ATU and SETU in the running to provide a new vet school.