AQW 12591/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 28/05/2024
Answered On Date: 12/06/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (i) to detail plans he has to act on the Strategic Investment Board’s report into the need for a veterinary school in Northern Ireland; (ii) for his assessment of the report; and (iii) for his assessment of the current provision of vets in Northern Ireland.

Answer:

At the request of former Minister Lyons, the Strategic Investment Board (SIB) was commissioned to undertake a situational analysis and baseline report to inform any future strategic business case for a veterinary school for Northern Ireland (NI). SIB produced reports on both, and these have been published on the DAERA website.

The steering group, established to provide governance, recognised that the situational analysis and baseline report was only a small element of the overall consideration of the need for a veterinary school and that further work to advance a business case now rests with the third level educational institutes.

I have recently met with Ulster University to discuss their ambitions and intentions including their plans for introducing veterinary related courses. This included the considerations around a veterinary school within NI and the SIB situational analysis/baseline report.

It should also be noted that, whilst DAERA is a key employer within the veterinary sector and as such has a vested interest in securing such a talent pipeline, issues around workforce planning for the veterinary sector sits within the remit of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

However, DAERA will where requested continue to discuss with and support educational institutes should they seek to progress a business case for a veterinary school in NI.