Atlantic Technological University has said a new third-level veterinary course which was to offer 30 places to students will not open until 2026.
There was an expectation that the new course would begin in September this year and as late as yesterday evening the Department of Further and Higher Education indicated this when it told RTÉ News that ATU "hopes to have an initial intake of 30 students in 2025".
However, the department confirmed that the ATU course was not currently available for application via this year’s CAO process, which closes today.
The university told RTÉ News that the department statement was inaccurate and that the course is not due to commence until 2026.
A source said that while the university had hoped to be able to offer the course for September, that had not proved possible.
In a statement, ATU said that following an internal review, a decision was made in late January to allow additional time for the construction of further facilities required for the programme.
"This decision provides essential contingency time to allow the necessary infrastructure is in place to ensure the delivery of a state-of-the-art programme for students.
"ATU aim to have the programme available via the CAO in November 2025 for a commencement date of September 2026," it said.
Noting that the programme was subject to validation and professional accreditation requirements, it added: "The final composition and distribution of places and entry requirements for the programme is subject to validation and will be communicated to all stakeholders following completion of the validation process."
The new veterinary places were announced by then ministers for further and higher education and agriculture Patrick O'Donovan and Charlie McConalogue at last year's Ploughing Championships.
They also announced a new veterinary course at South East Technological University.
They described the additional 80 places as a "monumental step forward" for education and agriculture in Ireland. Mr O'Donovan said the first intake would be in 2025.
Welcoming its successful bid for the new places at the time, ATU said its new Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVMS) programme would run across campuses in Donegal and Galway and would aim to address the increasing demand for veterinary professionals, particularly in rural areas, while significantly boosting educational opportunities in the west and northwest regions of Ireland.
Thanking the two ministers after they had announced the news, President of ATU Dr Orla Flynn said the new veterinary school would play a pivotal role in ensuring that Ireland has the veterinary workforce it needs to support its vibrant farming, food and animal health sectors.
Dr Flynn said the course would be "a significant boost for the west and northwest, creating new educational and economic opportunities".
