Vol. 500 No. 4
357 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Education and Science the investment which has been or will be made by his Department in the new veterinary department being planned for the UCD complex, Belfield, Dublin 4; if the number of students will increase; if so, the level it will increase to; if the extra spaces will be confined to US or international students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3987/99]
394 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science when funding for the new veterinary school at Belfield, Dublin 4, will be put in place; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that it has been recommended that the immediate closure of the Ballsbridge site take place in view of the fact it is an unsuitable site for veterinary education, the reported refurbishment of the Ballsbridge facilities will not be acceptable and the poor facilities will have a negative and unacceptable impact on the quality of veterinary education in the new millennium. [4393/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 357 and 394 together.
My Department is currently giving active consideration to the recommendations of an interdepartmental committee established to examine and advise on the need for and the cost implications of transferring the UCD Faculty of Veterinary Medicine from its existing premises in Ballsbridge to a new site on the main campus at Belfield. The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine represents an essential national resource for animal and food industries. The existing premises are antiquated and have been evaluated as being unsuitable for modern veterinary education.
At present day prices, the preliminary estimate for the project is considered to be in the order of £25 million. It has been recommended that funding for the project will be derived from private sector donations, the sale of the existing premises and a direct Exchequer contribution. Consideration of all apsects of the project including funding is at an advanced stage within my Department.
It is not proposed to increase the number of undergraduate students in the proposed new development.
