Vol. 481 No. 3
20 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children when he intends to publish the interim report of the Commission on Nursing established by the former Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15320/97]
45 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received the interim report of the Commission on Nursing; and, if so, if he will make a statement on the contents of this report. [15907/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 45 together.
I have received a copy of the interim report which the commission published earlier this week.
It is quite obvious that nurses throughout the country have had a huge input to the report both through their attendance at meetings with the commission and through the exceptionally large volume of written submissions which they have made. The interim report marks a significant milestone in setting out clearly a range of issues and problems both within nursing and in the profession's positioning within the overall health service. It also serves to provide a sharp focus on the perceptions of nurses in relation to their own role within the delivery of services.
The interim report does not make any recommendations on the issues identified and the commission will be addressing solutions in the next phase of its work. I look forward to receiving the final report of the commission in the middle of next year.
