AQO 1814/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 20/03/2025
Answered On Date: 01/04/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy to outline the process for establishing a veterinary school in Northern Ireland.

Answer:

Question 5 AQO 1814/22-27

As autonomous bodies, the universities have the discretion to offer any course, including veterinary subjects, from within existing student numbers and funding allocations.

There is currently no opportunity at the local Higher Education Institutions to study for a Veterinary Medicine degree.

Should a specific proposal for a veterinary school be put forward I am open to working in partnership with all relevant stakeholders to consider the implications of such a proposal.

Any proposal would, of course, need to be considered by all those who have stake in the delivery of veterinary medicine here including the relevant professional bodies.