To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any assessment her Department has made of the long-term economic benefits that a veterinary school in Northern Ireland could provide.

Policy concerning the supply of locally trained graduates to support the veterinary profession has not been led by my Department. Therefore, my Department has not carried out an assessment of the long-term benefits that a veterinary school could provide. My Department is open to working in partnership with the universities to consider the implications of such an initiative should a relevant proposal be forthcoming.