Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 13 Dec 1995

Vol. 459 No. 7

Written Answers. - Nursing Studies Diploma.

Michael Creed

Question:

73 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Health the submissions, if any, he has received from hospitals in the Southern Health Board area regarding funding for the implementation of the Diploma in Nursing Studies in 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18868/95]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan

, Limerick East): The orderly transition to the new diploma programme in nurse education and training which commenced in Galway in October 1994 will of necessity take a number of years to complete. Three new general hospital sites have commenced on the new programme in 1995. In addition, the programme has been extended to psychiatry in Galway.

I would expect that a similar number of sites will commence in October 1996 and subsequent years until the new programme has commenced in all schools of nursing. Detailed planning is well under way with the schools scheduled for commencement in 1996.

My Department has received numerous submissions and approaches in this regard from nursing schools and third level colleges and the intention is to agree a schedule of start-up dates for new schools coming onto the diploma programme from October 1997 onwards. The Deputy will appreciate that the rate of progress actually achieved will depend on the availability of development funding for this purpose as determined in the Health Estimate each year.