asked the Minister for Health if he will take steps to increase the totally inadequate levels of allowances paid to student nurses, having regard to the fact that many student nurses have to provide accommodation, text books and examination fees from their allowances; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Student Nurses' Allowances.
197.
Student nurses in their first year of training in addition to the payment of £58 per week are provided with free accommodation. In their second year of training they are paid £100 per week plus additional payments in respect of week-end and night duty. The rate of £100 per week has been structured to compensate students in their second year of training for the cost of outside accommodation. Third year students are paid £146 per week are also in receipt of additional payments in respect of weekend and night duty.
All students have access to subsidised meals in their hospitals. At the end of the three year training period, the student nurses on successfully sitting their final exminations qualify as state registered nurses — a qualification which has a high international marketable value. It should be noted that members of other disciplines, for example medical and paramedical personnel, have to fund their own way through third level institutions before qualification.
The reality of the present situation is that the available resources at my disposal for training purposes can either be allocated to the training of a select few or, alternatively, these limited resources can be spread over a greater number of students thereby giving more of our young people access to nurse training and an opportunity to achieve a skill which is in high demand. I decided to take the latter course. This has enabled me to make training available to as many young people as possible and as a result 400 more students for general nurse training will be recruited in 1988 over and above the 1987 intake of 720 students. I am satisfied that this was the correct decision to make.