Support for University of Limerick's bid for new school of veterinary medicine

A PROMINENT Limerick vet is supporting the campaign for a new school of veterinary medicine at the University of Limerick.

UL is being tipped to become the site of the new school to cater for demand from students.

Currently, UCD is the only third-level institution to offer veterinary training in Ireland, with demand far outstripping places every year.

The Government has confirmed it's seeking to expand the number of places available and that a number of options are being considered. It is hoped the new school of veterinary medicine, when approved, could be open in time for the 2024/2025 academic year.

The matter was raised in the Seanad this Tuesday with Senator Maria Byrne calling on Minister Simon Harris to clarify when a decision will be finalised.

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Meanwhile, a member of a local Veterinary Working Group has been explaining why she believes UL should be picked.

Kathy Enright of Rockhall Veterinary, Limerick & Clare says UL is favoured because of the location of its campus, its accessibility, the fact it is located in the Golden Vale, the reputation for its existing faculties and the co-location with a School of Medicine.

“Attracting competent teaching staff and to facilitate accreditation requirements from both the Veterinary Council of Ireland and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons makes it the obvious choice,” she said.

“A chronic shortage of graduate places has left Ireland's strategic agri-food sector increasingly dependent on vets who are trained overseas. The low number of places available currently, at the highly-respected UCD Veterinary school means more than 100 of our graduates have to go abroad each year to gain training in Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the United Kingdom.

We should be able to train our people at home and solve our own vet shortages,” added Kathy Enright.

The UCD veterinary school was established in 1901 and can cater for a maximum of 82 undergraduate and 50 graduate-entry students each year.

Under the UL proposal, at least 80 students will be facilitated annually rising to 120 over time.

UL has declined to comment on its ongoing engagement as the process to decide the location of the new school remains live.