2720. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address concerns raised at the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food that veterinary nurses continue to experience significantly lower pay and weaker career progression compared to equivalent clinical roles in human healthcare; the measures his Department is examining to improve retention within the profession; and if he will make a statement on the matter.' [61935/26]

2724. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will clarify his Department’s position on the Veterinary Council of Ireland’s assertion that TB testing is an act of veterinary medicine that cannot be delegated to veterinary nurses; and if he will outline any assessment undertaken on the way in which current testing requirements are impacting rota pressures and service sustainability within rural mixed practices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61936/26]

2725. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the consideration his Department has given to providing direct State support to veterinary practices comparable to the supports provided to GP practices, in view of evidence presented to the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food that the absence of such supports is contributing to severe workforce pressures and reduced service availability in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61934/26]

2726. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm when his Department intends to act on the legislative amendments submitted by the Veterinary Council of Ireland in early 2024 to strengthen the regulatory framework for veterinary nurses, given the ongoing recruitment and retention crisis across rural practices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61933/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2720, 2724, 2725 and 2726 together.

The Veterinary Council of Ireland is the independent statutory body charged with regulating the veterinary professions, pursuant to the Veterinary Practice Act 2005 as amended. This includes management of the Register of Veterinary Practitioners and Veterinary Nurses in Ireland. The determination of what constitutes the act of veterinary medicine is a matter for the Veterinary Council Ireland.

The Veterinary Council oversees processes to enable persons suitably qualified and competent to access the register of Veterinary Practitioners and Veterinary Nurses in Ireland. To practise veterinary medicine or veterinary nursing in Ireland, an individual must be registered with the Veterinary Council.

The most recent figures from Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) in their recently published Workforce Report indicates 3,564 registered veterinary practitioners veterinarians and 1,265 registered veterinary nurses in Ireland. 68.2% of registered veterinary practitioners were employed in clinical practice of whom 35.5% were working in mixed practices with 12.5% working in Farm Animal only practice work. I note that the VCI is currently carrying out a public consultation on out-of-hours veterinary services in Ireland and I would urge people to make a submission to the VCI in this regard.

My Department will engage with the VCI on any areas identified in their report where collaboration between my Department and the VCI can help to support and develop the veterinary profession in Ireland including in the areas of large animal practice. My Department received detailed proposed legislation amendments to the Veterinary Practice Act 2005 (as amended) from the VCI which relate to a wide number of areas within the remit and functions of the VCI which are being considered.

Veterinary practices throughout rural Ireland play a vital role in protecting the health and welfare of animals in Ireland and my Department engage with representatives of veterinary practitioners on an ongoing basis to across a range of issues which impact of their businesses.