Waterford Fine Gael Senator John Cummins has welcomed confirmation that two new Veterinary Medicine degree courses will be formally sanctioned by government today. The two new degree courses will be rolled out at South East Technological University and Atlantic Technological University, ending speculation that SETU would be passed over in favour of Limerick. These will be the first veterinary medicine degree courses outside of UCD, with forty students expected to graduate each year at SETU, meaning two hundred additional students over the five-year programme at SETU.
Senator Cummins said “I have been consistent in saying that the case made by the wonderful academic team at SETU was exceptionally strong. It was for this reason the Higher Education Authority last year assessed the SETU bid as viable. Over the intervening twelve months, a full business case was finalised and extensive engagement was carried out by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Department of Agriculture, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Higher Education Authority to identify the exact number of places required”.
“While some politicians sought to throw cold water on our chances of achieving this prestigious degree course, suggesting there would be political interference in the process to favour Limerick, I never bought into this political point scoring.
“There has been exceptional work carried out to develop the course and the distributed clinical network model in collaboration with industry stakeholders. What has been very clear to me from the start of this process was the buy-in by everyone to ensure the favourable outcome we have achieved today.
He added “I want to put on record my thanks to Taoiseach Simon Harris and Minister O’Donovan for their steadfast support and engagement on this matter. I am proud of the part I have played in lobbying party colleagues and organising two letters of support from all Oireachtas members in the South East prior to the shortlisting (10th February 2023 to former Minister Simon Harris) and prior to this decision (22nd April 2024 to newly appointed Minister Patrick O’Donovan). I have also had former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and current Taoiseach Simon Harris at meetings with the SETU leadership team on a number of occasions and the development of Veterinary Medicine amongst other items have formed part of these discussions”.
In pointed criticism Senator Cummins said “To those who didn’t support the establishment of SETU and said Technological Universities could never compete on a levelpitch with traditional universities for new courses and investment, I hope they will reflect on their position and start talking up our new university, rather than talking it down. Today’s announcement will bring with it significant capital development and staffing investment and will attract students to Waterford from right across the country”
In conclusion Senator Cummins said “I would like to compliment the President of SETU Professor Veronica Campbell and her team for all the work that has gone into achieving this favourable outcome today. All the lobbying in the world would not achieve a positive outcome unless the case stacks up and that comes down to the work of the course development team and management. I hope the awarding of this prestigious degree course is viewed as a statement of intent by government. Contrary to what some may have said, the establishment of SETU marks a step change in Higher Education in the South East and I look forward to continuing my work with SETU and government colleagues into the future.