Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 19 Nov 1997

Vol. 483 No. 1

Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.

Jim Higgins

Question:

180 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will approve the payment of higher education grants to student nurses who have obtained the nursing diploma and who are currently sitting for their degree course. [19752/97]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I draw the Deputy's attention to my reply of 12 November 1997.

Successful completion of the students of the three-year registration/diploma programme leads to registration as general nurses with An Bord Altranais, at which point they will become eligible for employment. As a degree in nursing is not a requirement for registration as a nurse and subsequent employment, the particular one-year degree course proposed by University College Galway would essentially be an additional course leading to an optional post-registration qualification. Students wishing to undertake the degree course would, therefore, have to meet the costs involved themselves.

I might mention that the specific programme which the students entered in 1994 is currently the subject of an independent external evaluation being undertaken by a team from the School of Education and Nursing, University of Southampton, under the management of the Institute of Public Administration. In addition, the interim report of the Commission on Nursing has identified a number of issues relating to the registration/diploma programme generally, which the commission is expected to address in its final report. I do not propose to make any changes in the present arrangements for pre-registration nursing education and training pending the completion of these two important exercises.

The approval of the payment of higher education grants is one for my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science. I have no function in the matter.