The University of Limerick (UL) has this afternoon (Thursday, September 12) confirmed that it has officially withdrawn from the competition to host a new veterinary medicine school in the Republic of Ireland.
Earlier today Agriland had reported that speculation was mounting that the bid would be abandoned and that those involved had been ‘shocked’ by the news after such fervent efforts to be considered.
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.
UL vet school cost
UL has confirmed the following in a statement from the acting president of the university, Shane Kilcommins, this afternoon: “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.
“We recognise the pressing need for additional veterinary places, and we remain interested in responding to that in the medium-term.
“I would like to sincerely thank the members of the Veterinary School Planning Committee for their commitment to the project,” Kilcommins added.
In the meantime, UL has said it will continue to focus on a strong recovery plan for the university in the light of the Section 64 review.
It added that it will continue to deliver a range of existing academic programmes, including the possibility of extending its offerings in some critical demand areas.
New vet school
Ireland currently only has one school of veterinary medicine based at University College Dublin (UCD).
Left in the running to provide a new vet school now are, Atlantic Technological University (ATU) and South East Technological University (SETU).
Following the departure of UL from the process, there is a feeling among some quarters that ATU is in a strong position to secure the vet school, however, it will be up to the HEA to make a final decision.