AQO 8646/11-16 Oral question to the Minister for Employment and Learning
To ask the Minister for Employment and Learning for an update on the submission of a business case regarding proposals to establish a Veterinary School at Ulster University.
Asked by Claire Sugden MLA on 3 September 2015
- Answered
- Oral
- Answered in the Chamber
- Tabled
- 3 September 2015
- Answer due by
- 15 September 2015
- Answered
- 15 September 201512 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for Employment and Learning
- Priority question
- No
Answer
Answered in the Assembly Chamber on 15 September 2015. Extract from the Official Report (Hansard), including any supplementary questions:
Dr Farry
The Ulster University first proposed establishing a veterinary school in 2013 and commenced the preparation of a business case to support it. However, a full business case has not been presented to my Department. There have been no discussions with the university on this matter since June 2014. Veterinary science is one of the highest-cost courses to fund, and there is no shortfall forecast in the number of vets until at least 2020. In the current financial climate, when funding for higher education institutions has been reduced and undergraduate places withdrawn, it is very unlikely that funding will be made available for veterinary science courses in the short to medium term.
Ms Sugden
I thank the Minister for his response. Will he confirm whether the Ulster University is moving towards establishing centres of excellence in each campus, and that a veterinary school in Coleraine would be a perfect fit for what it is planning?
Dr Farry
In terms of the first aspect of what the Member says, as part of the response to the challenging funding situation, the university has responded in a strategic way by trying to create an identity for each of its campuses. The Coleraine campus has been identified in terms of life and biological sciences. In principle, what the Member says would be consistent with that vision. However, I stress to her the high cost involved in veterinary places. If it was decided to redirect resources in that direction, that would have a disproportionate impact on the provision of other courses. In a crude sense, for every veterinary place you put in place you may have to sacrifice almost two other types of subject places, so we have to be conscious of the emerging needs of our economy. No doubt, universities are also doing that in how they plan and work their way through a challenging situation.
Mr Ó hOisín
Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht an fhreagra sin. What discussions may the Minister have had with DARD on the provision of a veterinary school at Ulster University?
Dr Farry
My officials and I have had discussions about that with our counterparts in DARD over the years, although it has not been a live issue on our agenda for the past 12 to 18 months. That reflects the sad financial reality in which we sit. The Member can take from my answer that, while some work has been done in this area, it is not currently being taken forward. In the context of facing cutbacks, an investment of that type is not deemed affordable.