Ned O'Keeffe
Question:46 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if he will fund a nursing degree course for a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [9411/97]
Written Answers. - Nursing Training.
Noel Davern
Question:52 Mr. Davern asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the plight of third year students completing the new nursing diploma and degree courses in University College Hospital Galway in relation to funding of their college fees for their forthcoming degree year; if he will consult with the Department of Education in order to ascertain immediately which Department is responsible for the payment of such fees for the degree course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9420/97]
Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 52 together.
The first nursing registration/diploma programme of education and training was commenced at University College Hospital Galway in 1994, in association with University College Galway. Considerable progress has since been made in extending the programme to other schools of nursing. The programme is of 156 weeks' duration which is spread over three academic years. Successful completion of the programme leads to registration as a nurse with An Bord Altranais and the award of a diploma in nursing from the associated third level institute.
The first intake of students to the programme at University College Hospital Galway is due to complete the programme this year. I understand that the person who is the subject of the question from Deputy O'Keeffe is one of those students. Successful students who register with An Bord Altranais will be eligible for employment as nurses.
In tandem with the transition from the traditional apprenticeship model of nursing education and training to the diploma based programme, one academic year courses leading to a degree in nursing are being developed by those third level institutes involved in the delivery of the diploma programme in partnership with the schools of nursing. It is intended that such a course will be available during the coming academic year at University College Galway. As the degree course will be an optional post-registration qualification, registered nurse wishing to undertake the course will be responsible for making their own arrangements and for meeting the associated costs.