Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Feb 1999

Vol. 500 No. 4

Written Answers. - Veterinary Medicine.

Noel Ahern

Question:

355 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the difficulty of students gaining entry to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in UCD; the number of vacancies per year that exist; the number of US or international students who are admitted; the reason these extra places are not available to Irish citizens prepared to pay the full rate; if details are available of the number of Irish students studying veterinary medicine abroad at £12,000 per year; if a formal transfer system exists for these students to finish their studies in Dublin; if this can be introduced for the final few years of their studies; if a waiting list exists for transfer; and if he will give the position on the list of a person (details supplied). [3985/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

The veterinary faculty at the National University of Ireland, Dublin, University College Dublin is the only veterinary faculty on the island. The Higher Education Authority authorises UCD to admit 65 Irish students to the faculty each year. This intake has always included a quota of students from Northern Ireland, which was fixed at ten in the mid 1980s. Since 1990-91 UCD has been authorised to admit up to ten overseas students, usually American, on an economic fee paying basis and on the understanding that the students return to their own countries following graduation. Accordingly, these places could not be offered to Irish students willing to pay the full economic rate, which indeed would be impractical and inequitable.

The Higher Education Authority is the statutory body that advises my Department on the demand for third level places. The authority is satisfied that the current intake represents the national requirements for this profession. The annual survey of the first destination of award recipients in higher education, which is published by the Higher Education Authority, supports this.

The normal transfer regulations would apply to students wishing to complete their studies in Ireland. This means they would have to meet the normal matriculation requirements and if successful in gaining admission would then apply to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine for consideration for exemption(s). I understand the student in question did not receive sufficient points to be offered a place on the course. I further understand that no waiting list exists.

Finally, my Department does not have figures of the number of Irish citizens studying veterinary medicine abroad.