asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the decision taken in relation to the non-selection of student nurses the £30 application fee to the Central Applications Office be refunded to applicants; the number who have applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Student Nurse Recruitment.
243.
Responsibility for the operation of the Central Applications Bureau rests entirely with An Bord Altranais. I expect that An Bord Altranais will consider the matter of refund of fees paid by applicants in the light of the overall position to be determined in relation to the recruitment of student nurses.
I am at present having a detailed fact-finding exercise carried out to enable me to assess the overall situation in relation to the consequences on the health allocation for 1987. No decision will be made on the intake of trainee nurses pending the completion of that review. I will inform An Bord Altranais of the final position regarding recruitment of student nurses.
A total of 6,300 completed applications have been received by the Central Applications Bureau.