Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
721. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether he or his Department has engaged with representative bodies or the Veterinary Council of Ireland regarding workforce sustainability challenges in the veterinary nursing profession, including recruitment and retention difficulties; and if so, the outcome of those engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32837/26]
View answer722. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the assessment that has been made of the potential impact of staffing shortages in veterinary nursing on animal welfare, veterinary service capacity, and the viability of practices, including in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32838/26]
View answer723. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether consideration is being given to undertaking or supporting a review of workforce sustainability in the veterinary sector, including training pathways, retention challenges, and long term service capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32839/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 721, 722 and 723 together.
According to Veterinary Council Ireland (VCI) Workforce Report published in May 2025 there were 1,265 registered nurses in March 2024. The most recent quarterly newsletter published by the VCI shows the number of registered veterinary nurses increased in the intervening 12 months to 1,395.
The first recommendation of the VCI Workforce Report was "Promoting the role of the Veterinary Nurse". This highlights the respect and the regard which the role of the Veterinary Nurse is held in by the regulating body for veterinary practitioners and veterinary nurses and I very much welcome this recommendation and look forward to it being actioned.
Government Departments have no role in the setting prescribing or regulating salary scales or employment terms for employees of private sector organisations, including those working in privately operated veterinary practices. 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 Ireland, which regulates the practice of Veterinary medicine and Veterinary nursing under the aegis of my Department has no statutory function in relation to remuneration or employment conditions, and neither does my Department.
