Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Dec 1997

Vol. 483 No. 6

Written Answers. - Recruitment to Nursing Profession.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

270 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children whether he has satisfied himself with the current level of recruitment into the nursing profession; if he has satisfied himself that sufficient information and encouragement is available to young people considering entering the profession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20980/97]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I am satisfied that there continues to be considerable interest among young people in general nursing as a career. This is reflected in the large volume of applications received by the Nursing Applications Centre for places on the 1997 General Nursing Registration-Diploma Programme.

However, it is a matter of concern to me that not all the available training places on this year's psychiatric nursing and mental handicap nursing registration-diploma programmes were filled. There is clearly a need to raise the profile of psychiatric and mental handicap nursing in order to attract more entrants to training. My Department is currently involved in consultations with the relevant interest groups with the specific objective of developing an appropriate recruitment drive to coincide with next year's competition.