Martin Kenny
Question:681. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will open the regional veterinary laboratory in Sligo after the review of the veterinary laboratories. [9957/17]
View answerTuesday, 28 February 2017
Questions (681)
Written answers
My Department's Regional Veterinary Laboratory at Doonally, Sligo, continues to provide a laboratory diagnostic service to the North West region.
My Department commissioned a Working Group led by Prof. Alan Reilly to undertake a comprehensive review of the Department’s Laboratories (which are located at Backweston, Sligo, Limerick, Cork, Athlone and Kilkenny).
The Group has presented a report to the Department, which makes recommendations on:
- Oversight and co-ordination of the laboratories activities
- Re-organisation of Divisions and support functions within the Central Laboratory complex
- Options for the future development of the Regional Laboratories – with a view to improving disease investigative and surveillance capability but with the over-riding imperative of maintaining and enhancing services to farmers and
- Human resources management within the laboratories - with a focus on grading structures, career development opportunities and workforce planning
My Department is currently consulting with all relevant stakeholders.
A decision on any of these recommendations will await the outcome of this consultative process. In the case of the Regional Veterinary Laboratories, any decision will also be informed by a cost benefit analysis of the various options that have been proposed for their future development.