I thank the Chair for allowing me to raise this matter and the Minister for coming in to reply. This is the fourth Minister for Health who will hear this story from me in relation to the question of recommencing the nurse training in psychiatric hospitals in the Western Health Board. Nurse training in psychiatric hospitals in the Western Helth Baord was a permanent feature up to 1987 but because of the cutbacks this was stopped.
I particularly refer to St. Brigid's Hospital which has accommodation and a tutor for nurse training. Since 1987 St. Brigid's Hospital, Ballinasloe, has had no students. Three psychiatric hospitals are involved, Castlebar, Castlerea and Ballinasloe. Ballinasloe hospital usually had 20 students per year. In 1987 there were only 15 students in the nurse training school. Two years ago An Bord Altranais approved the recommencement of student training and a regional committee was set up in 1988 which formulated a policy for regional training. I understand it was envisaged that the theoretical work would be done in St. Brigid's Hospital, Ballinasloe, and that the practical training would be done in the other hospitals. The Department of Health asked the Western Health Board to provide funding for nurse training but it would cost in the region of £30,000. That would go towards improvements to the teaching room, library facilities and accommodation and money for student allowances. The Western Health Board do not have the money for this and cannot fund student training from their own resources. I am asking the Minister for Health here this evening to provide the requisite funding and allow nurse training to recommence.