This week the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food will discuss issues related to the recruitment and retention of veterinary nurses.
Representatives from the Irish Veterinary Nurses Association (IVNA) will address committee members on Wednesday afternoon (June 17).
In his speech before the meeting, Committee MP for Cathawirelish, Endreas Moynihan, said: “IVNA is the representative body for veterinary nurses in the Republic of Ireland.
“They promote animal health, welfare and care. They also reinforce the need to grow the highest level of veterinary nursing through continued advancement in professional development and continuing education,” he said.
Veterinary nurses
Representatives from IVNA will discuss the challenges facing recruiting veterinary nurses, Representative Moynihan said.
“We will look for more information about the documented structural pressures, limited career progression, and difficult wages and working conditions facing those who choose the profession.
“We know that many practices struggle to attract new nurses because salaries often do not reflect the level of training, responsibility and emotional stress that comes with the profession.
“From an agricultural perspective, the shortage of veterinary nurses has broader implications for farm animal health and rural veterinary services.
“When recruitment is weak, veterinarians must absorb these duties themselves, reducing the time available for proactive herd health planning and on-farm advisory work.
“We look forward to hearing how they will alleviate the problems we face,” he said.
According to the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) Annual Report 2025, there were 1,392 registered veterinary nurses. 164 veterinary nurses joined the register last year.
The Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food consists of 14 members, including nine TDs from Dáil Éireann and five Senators from the Seanad.
The committee reports to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and focuses on agricultural policy, animal welfare and food safety.
