Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue has rejected a claim by Cllr David Fitzgerald, Mayor of Kilkenny that the new Veterinary College will be based in the SETU(South East Technological University) in collaboration with Kildalton Agriculture College.
Several Irish universities have applied to be the location for what will be Ireland’s second provider of courses to education vets – at present UCD offers 82 places annually with some places reserved for international students.
Minister McConalogue says the final selection has yet to be made in conjunction with Minister Simon Harris who has responsibility for Higher and Further Education. University of Limerick is also in contention for the new programme based on the strength of the existing programmes in the University and relationships with the Equine sector in Tipperary – especially the Horse Hospital in Fethard.
Due to the shortage of places Irish students have been travelling abroad to train as vets with 98 Irish students travelling to Warsaw last weekend to sit entrance exams.
A decision on the location for the Veterinary College is expected in a few weeks.
