Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2009. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the certification required to work as a veterinary officer or inspector in his Department; the third-level and professional qualification required; if further internal departmental training is required when new veterinary officers or inspectors are hired; and if so, the duration of such training. [35355/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the certification outlined below is stipulated as essential for candidates participating in my Department's Veterinary Inspector competitions:
- Hold a qualification in Veterinary Medicine that is eligible for registration with the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI).
- Be entered on the register of veterinary practitioners held by the VCI, prior to being offered a position.
- Veterinary Inspectors are required to have a current valid full driving licence and/or access to a car.
It is desirable that a candidate has a Master’s Degree (or higher) in a veterinary subject or a degree/qualification in any other relevant subject.
Veterinary Inspectors also have personal responsibility to ensure that they acquire sufficient Continuing Veterinary Education (CVE) credits to maintain their registration with the Veterinary Council of Ireland. Currently in the region of 80% of necessary CVE credits (required for continuing registration with the VCI), are made available by DAFM through its Learning and Development programme to veterinary staff each year.
