Minister Seán Canney Welcomes Capital Programme Approval for New Veterinary School Delivery in Mountbellew

Angelina Nugent

3 Oct 2025

Seán Canney TD, Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports and Leader in Cabinet of the Independent Ministers, has welcomed Government approval of the capital programme to progress the new veterinary school at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Mountbellew campus.

Minister Canney said: “This approval of the capital programme is a crucial step in making the new veterinary school a reality, and I particularly welcome the fact that Mountbellew will play a central role. Mountbellew has a proud tradition in agricultural education, and this investment secures and builds on that. As a former lecturer in GMIT, now ATU, I am proud to see them to the fore in delivering this new course, which will create new opportunities for students in Galway and the wider region.”

The Higher Education Authority has recommended progression of the project to the design team appointment stage, so that the new school can take in its first students from September 2026.