THE Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), has has launched a campaign to hire vets for Border Inspection Posst (BIP) duty as part of the department’s Brexit contingency planning.

The initiative forms part of a broader response by the DAFM to resource the contingencies that may arise as a result of Brexit over the near and longer term, which also includes external recruitment through their partners in the Public Appointments Service as well as redeployment of existing staff within the department.

Vets will be paid €42.99/hr, which is what locum vets for the Department are paid when they are drafted in. Applicants must hold a veterinary qualification (MVB/ MRCVS) or hold a qualification which will be acceptable as being equivalent, and must be registered or be eligible for registration with the Veterinary Council of Ireland.

A statement from the DAFM read: "Successful vets engaged under this process may be deployed at Dublin and Rosslare Ports, should the need arise. Depending on evolving import and export patterns, there may be potential for engagement at further Border Inspection Posts in the future, for example at Shannon or elsewhere.

Vets who wish to be engaged for contracted BIP Veterinary Inspection Services must complete a two stage process, both of which are completed through the State Procurement Website https://www.etenders.gov.ie, on which this tender is advertised.

“Everyone in government and beyond would wish that no-deal Brexit plans and contingencies remain on the shelf. It is appropriate however that solutions are put in place that can address all potential contingencies. In that respect arrangements such as this will afford the Ddepartment the appropriate flexibility and latitude in addressing the situation as it evolves, taking both the specific situation that prevails and value for money into account.”