To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for an update on the Strategic Investment Board’s report into the need for a veterinary school in Northern Ireland, including its anticipated publication date.

There is an increasing acceptance that Northern Ireland requires a more assured supply of veterinarians in the long term, than is available from historical sources. There are a number of options for achieving this which merit further exploration, and last year I commissioned, from the Strategic Investment Board (SIB), a Baseline Report and Situational Analysis of Veterinary Services in Northern Ireland.

The report completed this year by the SIB is part of the overall analysis as to whether a veterinary school is needed for Northern Ireland and focused on just one element, the need for veterinary personnel here.

I am keen that the report is published alongside other relevant evidence, and work is ongoing between my Department and representatives from Queens University, Ulster University and the Department for the Economy in that regard. I will confirm the timescale for publication as soon as possible.