asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries why the number of places for second year veterinary students is limited to 50 for the session 1970-71.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Veterinary Service.
31.
While this matter is one primarily for determination by the university concerned, I understand that, for a number of years, the agreed basis has been 50 places for UCD students and ten for TCD students. These figures are regarded as the maximum that can properly be catered for on the basis of teaching facilities and classroom accommodation.
Can the Minister say if there is a need for more veterinary surgeons and if any steps are being taken to increase the number of places?
There are subsequent questions which deal with certain aspects of that. The Department do not encounter any serious difficulty in the matter of the availability of veterinary surgeons.
32.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if there is an adequate number of veterinary surgeons available to administer the various departmental schemes; and, if not, what steps are being taken to ensure that training facilities are available to all desirous of entering the profession.
The resources of full-time and part-time veterinary surgeons available to my Department enable it to cope with the administration of its existing schemes.
33.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if there are proposals for the provision of a new veterinary college; and, if so, if he will give details.
Certain general proposals have, I understand, been made by the two existing university veterinary faculties, but conclusions cannot be reached until the future arrangements for university education as a whole have been settled.