Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Jan 1998

Vol. 486 No. 1

Written Answers. - Public Health Students.

Liz McManus

Question:

526 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the serious financial difficulties faced by higher diploma public health students who are not receiving any salary or income and who face combined loss of income and course costs of up £30,000 per year; if he will consider paying salary during the course and covering the cost of college fees in view of the importance of this course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1628/98]

Liz McManus

Question:

551 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the serious financial difficulties faced by higher diploma public health students who are not receiving a salary or income and who, combining loss of income and course fees, face expenses of up to £30,000 per year; if he will pay salary during the course and cover the cost of college fees in view of the importance of this course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1357/98]

John Perry

Question:

556 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on the issues (details supplied) raised by the higher diploma public health students. [1362/98]

Róisín Shortall

Question:

567 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the loss or earnings and expenses incurred by those students who are undertaking the Higher Diploma in Public Health Nursing; if he will bring forward proposals to provide financial assistance to these students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1551/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 526, 551, 556 and 567 together.

Funding available for continuing post-registration education of nurses is allocated to the relevant health agencies. In 1998 some £6.5 million will be spent on continuing nurse education. It is a matter for the agencies themselves to decide on the most effective use of these funds, having due regard to the nature of the services in which they are involved.

I understand from my colleague the Minister for Education and Science that students pursuing the Diploma in Public Health Nursing at the National University of Ireland, Cork and the National Univerisity of Ireland, Dublin, who are not in receipt of sponsorship from a health board may apply to their local authority for a means tested fees and maintenance grant under the terms of the higher education grants scheme.

Large numbers of health services personnel apply each year for third level courses and, as the Deputy will appreciate, it is simply not possible to provide financial support to every applicant.

I would also like to mention that the interim report of the Commission on Nursing has identified a number of issues relating to the professional development of registered nurses. The Commission is expected to address these issues in its final report which is expected to be finalised during 1998. It would be my intention to review the present arrangements in the light of the Commission's recommendations in the matter.