Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Dec 1990

Vol. 403 No. 4

Written Answers. - Student Nurses Statistics.

Paul McGrath

Question:

226 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will outline for each of the last five years (a) the rates of pay applicable to student nurses (b) the number of student nurses in training, (c) the number of applicants for entry into nurse training and (d) the number of appointments to permanent nursing posts in each of those years.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

The information sought by the Deputy is as follows:

(a) Rates of Pay for Student Nurses

Effective Date	First Year	Second Year	Third Year
1.9.85	6,572	6,742	6,914
1.5.86	6,769	6,944	7,121
1.1.87	6,904	7,083	7,263
1.5.87	2,609	7,225	7,408
1.8.87	2,818	7,225	7,408
1.1.88	3,027	5,218	7,619
1.1.89	3,236	5,427	7,834
1.7.89	3,313	5,557	8,022
1.1.90	3,522	5,766	8,245
1.4.90	3,580	5,864	8,389
1.10.90	3,641	5,964	8,533

Student nurses in their first year of training in addition to the payments mentioned above are provided with free accommodation and free meals. In their second and third year of training, student nurses receive premium payments in respect of weekend, public holiday and night duty working in addition to the payments outlined above.

(b) The number of Student Nurses in Training

1986	4,642
1987	4,552
1988	4,684
1989	4,727
1990	4,534

(c) The information requested is not available in my Department. The multiplicity of applications by candidates means that it is not possible to quantify the information sought. I am assured, however, that in each year referred to, the number of applications received significantly exceeded the number of training places on offer.

(d) Current personnel policy allows individual health agencies to make permanent appointments without reference to my Department, subject to their doing so within approved complement and revenue allocation. Consequently the information sought by the Deputy is not available in my Department.