Mayo TD welcomes major boost for veterinary education in the West

Fine Gael TD for Mayo, Keira Keogh, has warmly welcomed the Government’s approval of a landmark investment that will see a new veterinary school established at Atlantic Technological University (ATU). This development is part of the Veterinary Places Activation Programme (VPAP) and will deliver 80 additional student places every year from 2026, shared between ATU and South East Technological University (SETU).

The new school at ATU represents a major win for Mayo and the wider West and Northwest region, strengthening veterinary education capacity while supporting the backbone of the region’s economy, the farming and agri-food sectors.

“This is a fantastic announcement for Mayo and for the entire West,” said Keira Keogh TD.

“For years, families in our region have seen young people having to travel across the country or even abroad to study veterinary medicine. From 2026, students will be able to access a top-class veterinary programme here in the West. This isn’t just about education, it's about supporting farming families, keeping skills and talent in the region, and investing in our communities for the long term.”

The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, have approved the capital programme to establish the new veterinary schools. This milestone allows design teams to be appointed and building plans to proceed, marking the next major step toward the schools’ opening.

Minister Martin Heydon said: “This is a hugely positive step for the Agri-food sector. A strong pipeline of graduates is essential in safeguarding animal health, supporting farm productivity, and maintaining Ireland’s reputation for high-quality produce. These new schools will help ensure that our farming communities and food producers have access to the skilled professionals they need, as well as providing opportunities for students to study closer to home, benefitting our communities in these regions and throughout the country.”

President of ATU, Dr Orla Flynn, welcomed the announcement: “This is an important step forward for our university and for the West and Northwest, expanding opportunities for students to study veterinary medicine closer to home. The investment will allow ATU to build the facilities and expertise required to deliver high-quality veterinary education and research, while also supporting Ireland’s agri-food sector and wider society. We look forward to progressing the design and planning stage and to welcoming our first students in 2026.”

At full roll-out, the new veterinary schools at ATU and SETU will deliver 80 additional veterinary graduates per year, directly supporting Ireland’s agri-food sector and public health systems. Both universities plan to welcome their first intake of 40 students in September 2026, with classroom-based Year 1 programmes starting while new facilities are under development.

The two institutions will adopt distinct models of delivery:

• ATU will develop a full clinical facility on campus, ensuring students can complete their training in the West and Northwest.
• SETU will implement a distributed model, using a network of regional clinical training facilities.

This expansion builds on the existing provision at UCD and reflects the Government’s commitment to regional development and diversity in higher education delivery.

The Higher Education Authority will now work with both universities to begin the design and planning phase.

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