Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 3

Written Answers. - Undergraduate Nursing Fees.

Gerry Reynolds

Question:

353 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will have examinations made into the current situation of student nurses at the National University of Ireland, Galway, who will have to pay college fees for their nursing degree course; if he will retreat from this unacceptable situation and grant them college fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17575/97]

Dick Spring

Question:

372 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department will abolish undergraduate nursing fees for students commencing the nursing degree in January 1998. [17813/97]

Michael Ring

Question:

425 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to abolish fees for undergraduate nurses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18196/97]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 353, 372 and 425 together.

A revised programme for basic pre-registration nurse education and training was introduced in October 1994 on a pilot basis and has since been extended to some 27 schools of nursing in association with local higher education institutions. The programme is funded by the Department of Health, at a cost of some £13 million in 1997. Accordingly, the question of student fees does not arise. Successful completion of the three year programme leads to a diploma in nursing studies and students are eligible to register with An Bord Altranais for employment as a nurse.

The Department of Health has been engaged in consultations with a number of third level institutions in relation to the development of accessible degree programmes which would be open both to nurses who complete the new education and training programme and to nurses who qualified under the traditional model of education and training. The purpose of these programmes is to provide those members of the nursing profession who wish to obtain a post-registration qualification at degree level with an opportunity to do so by means of a one year part-time programme. The first such programme was offered by Dublin City University earlier this year and I understand that Trinity College Dublin proposes to offer a similar part-time programme from February 1998. Being part-time programmes, the nurses involved are entitled to claim tax relief on their course fees.

The National University of Ireland, Galway is proposing to offer a one year degree programme, on a full-time basis, from January 1998. The present position is that the Higher Education Authority has discussed the proposed course with the National University of Ireland, Galway and has asked the university to align its proposal with the approach adopted in the other colleges.