To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail any actions his Department is taking to address the shortage of veterinarians beyond facilitating access to external study opportunities.

The responsibility for workforce planning for the veterinary sector as a whole rests with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

The NICS through my Department is, of course, a significant employer of veterinary professionals and therefore works closely with the Department of Finance in addressing the challenges associated with the recruitment and retention of veterinarians into DAERA.

Recent measures deployed have included the launch of recruitment competitions as well as securing additional veterinarian resource from Government Agency Frameworks and specialised agency contract providers.

Work is also continuing, again in partnership with the Department of Finance, to improve structures, resourcing, working practices and systems to ensure that the NICS, and DAERA in particular, remains a responsive and attractive employer of professional veterinary staff.