asked the Minister for Health the reason An Bord Altranais cancelled the Central Applications Bureau proposal for the recruitment of nurses; the consequences for the finances of An Board Altranais of this decision; his role in this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Recruitment of Nurses.
21.
An Bord Altranais exercised its powers under section 35(2) of the Nurses Act, 1985, when it decided to establish a Central Applications Bureau to process applications from persons wishing to undertake training in nursing. The subsequent decisions, on (i) the method of operation of the CAB and (ii) to suspend that operation, were taken by the board.
The latter decision was taken because agreement on the nature of the operation of the bureau could not be reached with some of the health boards and a large number of voluntary hospitals. As Minister, I did not wish to see a legal battle involving a State board under my aegis and a voluntary hospital funded totally by taxpayers' money. I attended a meeting of An Bord Altranais and suggested that they allow the training schools to interview the candidates with a representative of An Bord Altranais on the selection board. I made it clear that if the board were dissatisfied with the manner of selection in any individual case I would rigorously investigate it. It is a matter of disappointment to me that An Bord Altranais decided not to accept this compromise and subsequently suspended the operation of the Central Applications Bureau for this year. It was, however, in the final analysis their decision to take.
In relation to the Deputy's query regarding the consequences for the finances of An Bord Altranais, the setting up of various administrative structures to operate the Central Applications Bureau consequent to the board's initial decision resulted in certain operational costs being incurred by the board. Additionally, the board is not at present benefiting from the fees which would have been payable by applicants had the CAB, been in operation.