To ask the Minister for Employment and Learning for an update on progress to establish a veterinary school at Ulster University.

Ulster University first proposed establishing a Veterinary School in 2013 and commenced the preparation of a business case to support this. While a full business case has yet to be presented to my Department, I understand that the University remains committed to the creation of a Veterinary School at the Coleraine campus and that discussions are ongoing with a number of relevant parties internally and externally. The University believes this would align with the existing Life and Health Sciences focus at the campus.

Veterinary science is one of the highest cost courses to fund. In the current financial climate, when funding for the higher education institutions has been reduced, and undergraduate places withdrawn, it is very unlikely that funding will be available for veterinary science courses in the short to medium term.