THE IRISH Veterinary Council has recommended the closure of the premises occupied by UCD's faculty of veterinary medicine the only such school in the State.
As reported in E&L, an expert visiting committee from the council has sent a damning report to the Department of Education. It concludes that the faculty's current base in Ballsbridge, Dublin, is unsuitable and should be closed immediately. It is, the report says, "totally inadequate" in terms of space and to provide a course in veterinary medicine meeting international standards.
The report recognises "serious educational deficiencies" due to the standard of the premises and also notes that they contravenes health and safety regulations, posing "serious hazards and risks" to users.
"In relation to specific facilities the visitors state that the faculty no longer satisfies EU standards for a veterinary school," the report concludes.
The visiting committee recommends an immediate relocation of the school. UCD has proposed a £20 million development in Belfield, for which the university would provide 50 to 60 per cent of the funding. A committee consisting of representatives of the Higher Education Authority, the Departments of Education and Agriculture and UCD is considering the proposal.
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