Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Dec 1997

Vol. 485 No. 2

Written Answers. - Nursing Recruitment.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

198 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children the measures, if any, he is taking to ensure adequate recruitment into the nursing profession; if his attention has been drawn to the lack of recruitment material available to career guidance teachers in second level schools; if he will launch a recruitment campaign to improve take-up of the nursing profession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23524/97]

Róisín Shortall

Question:

227 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 270 of 2 December 1997 if he will provide details of the consultations he has had with relevant interest groups; the names of these groups; when an appropriate recruitment drive will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22984/97]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 198 and 227 together.

My Department has, to date, met representatives of An Bord Altranais, the Commission on Nursing, chief executives of the health boards, Association of Irish Nurse Managers, Irish Nurses' Organisation, Psychiatric Nurses' Association, SIPTU, the National University of Ireland and management of mental health services to discuss arrangements for the recruitment of student nurses and related issues. Meetings are also being convened with other relevant groups, including the Federation of Voluntary Bodies Providing Services to People with a Mental Handicap, the Institute of Guidance Counsellors and the Local Appointments Commission.

Arrangements for the 1998 competition for places on the nursing registration-diploma programmes, and for an associated recruitment drive, will be finalised following the completion of this consultative process. A management consultants' report on the operations of the nursing application centres, which is expected shortly, will also be taken into account in this context.

I will be making a full announcement regarding student nurse recruitment early in the new year.