New vet schools coming to Kilkenny and Galway

Two new veterinary schools are to be developed at Irish universities.

The new “state-of-the-art” facilities will be located at South East Technological University (Setu) in Kilkenny, and Atlantic Technological University (ATU) in Donegal and Galway campuses.

Taoiseach Simon Harris said the schools will help address demand for veterinary professionals and support the agriculture sector.

“I also know how important this announcement is for farmers.

“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.”

Further Education Minister Patrick O’Donovan and Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue made the announcement at the National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co Laois.

Mr O’Donovan said: “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.”

Mr McConalogue said: “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.”