Vol. 286 No. 12
andMr. E. Collins asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the large number of applicants for positions as student nurses in hospitals throughout the country and the fact that many of the applications were duplicated, he will consider introducing a national or regional processing scheme for such applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
92.
andMr. Donnellan asked the Minister for Health if he has any proposals for expanding the existing facilities for the training of nurses in hospitals throughout the country in view of the large number of applications for student nurse training and the envisaged expansion of the hospital system; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 92 together.
In regard to a national processing scheme for recruitment of students, I informed the House on 22nd October, 1975, that An Bord Altranais, who are the responsible body for nurse training in this country,, were not in favour of such a procedure They did, however, consider that some modification of the existing practice was desirable by, for example, grouping hospitals on a regional basis in such a way as to give each training hospital a say in the selection process.
Recruitment and selection procedures for student nurses are among the matters being examined by the Working Party on General Nursing which I set up earlier this year. I shall ask the working party to let me have their views on this matter, if possible in advance of their final report.
The question of expansion of facilities for nurse training is also a matter for An Bord Altranais. An Bord have under consideration at present some proposals of a minor nature for an increase in the number of places for student nurses in certain areas. In general, however, it is accepted that the existing facilities are adequate to meet the present and future requirements of the health services.
