As the Deputy will be aware, an additional 12 weeks of theoretical instruction was applied to the training programme for general nurses in order to comply with the provisions of Directive 89/595/EEC which related to general nursing only. This has led to concerns being expressed by nurses in the psychiatric, sick children's and mental handicap divisions of the register regarding educational parity between the various branches in the profession.
I can assure the Deputy that I share his concern in this matter. I hope and expect to be in a position to secure the additional funding necessary to introduce an additional 12 weeks of theoretical instruction to the other branches of nursing commencing with the October, 1993 intake of student nurses.