asked the Minister for Health if he has considered the desirability and advantages of founding a college of nursing in the country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - College of Nursing.
51.
Mr. O'Malley
I assume that the Deputy has in mind a college of nursing to provide courses of training for nurses in senior nursing posts or interested in securing such posts.
I do not think that the expense involved in creating an organisation of this sort could be justified in the light of the relatively small number of nurse administrators who can be absorbed in our hospital services. While I agree that there should be greater emphasis on formal training for senior nursing posts I feel that this training might best be developed by An Bord Altranais in association with other bodies in the nursing and administrative fields. Recently I asked An Bord if it would be prepared to co-ordinate the various post-graduate courses held from time to time by these bodies and it has agreed to do so. I am satisfied that this is a step towards the better organisation of training courses for nurses, including courses in administration and management.