Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 April 2026
658. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the data available to his Department on salary levels for registered veterinary nurses in Ireland; whether he accepts that current pay levels do not reflect the qualifications, clinical responsibilities, and regulatory requirements of the profession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28683/26]
View answer659. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department has undertaken an assessment of the growing retention crisis within the veterinary nursing profession, including evidence of emigration and exits from the sector; the risks this poses to animal welfare and service provision [28684/26]
View answer660. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether he will undertake a review of employment practices within the veterinary sector to ensure veterinary nurses are afforded fair pay, proper recognition, and sustainable working conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28686/26]
View answerGovernment Departments have no role in setting, prescribing or regulating salary scales for employees of private sector organisations, including those working in privately-operated veterinary practices.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 658, 659 and 660 together.
Pay and conditions in the veterinary sector are matters for individual employers and employees, or their representative bodies, and are determined through normal contractual arrangements and labour-market negotiations.
The Veterinary Council of Ireland which regulates the practice of veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing has no statutory function in relation to remuneration and neither does my Department. Accordingly, any salary structures or pay scale considerations for Registered Veterinary Nurses or other staff within private veterinary practices remain entirely outside the remit of Government pay policy.
