Michael Ring
Question:917 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will abolish the undergraduate fee for nurses. [1850/98]
Written Answers. - Student Nurses Fees.
Eamon Gilmore
Question:941 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will abolish the fees for students of the bachelor of nursing degree course due to commence in January 1998 in view of the fact that they will be the only day undergraduates in the country paying fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2192/98]
Alan Shatter
Question:942 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Education and Science whether he acknowledges that nursing students attending the one year degree course are the only full-time undergraduate students attending college whose course are not exempt from fees; whether he would extend such exemption to the nursing undergraduate degree course and provide higher education maintenance grants to nurses to undertake this course; whether he agrees that the position of such nurses is similar to teachers who undertake the higher diploma in education; and whether he will give full recognition to the substantial benefits to the health service in encouraging qualified nurses to take the one year degree course. [2193/98]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 917, 941 and 942 together.
As Deputies are aware, 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 a large number of nursing schools 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 for the diploma programme 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 position in relation to the continuing education of nurses is that 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 propose to offer a similar part-time programme from February, 1998. These programmes are provided on a self-financing basis and the nurses involved can claim tax relief on their fees or can apply to their relevant health agency for assistance from the funding provided by the Department of Health for the continuing education of registered nurses.
A one year full-time degree course leading to a bachelor of nursing has commenced this month in the National University of Ireland, Galway. When the Higher Education Authority became aware of the proposal to introduce this course, it had discussions with the National University of Ireland, Galway and asked the univerity to align its proposal with the approach adopted in the other colleges. Earlier this month, the university advised the Higher Education Authority of its intention to proceed with the course and I understand that 51 students have enrolled on the course. In view of these developments and the likely consequences for nursing education generally, my Department is currently engaged in further discussions on the matter with the Department of Health and the Higher Education Authority. I will advise the Deputies as to the outcome of these discussions as soon as possible. In relation to the specific points raised by the Deputies, I would like to clarify that these students are not the only full-time undergratute students attending college whose course is not exempt from fees. The free fees initiative applies to full-time undergraduate courses which must generally be of at least two years duration. The position in relation to the higher diploma in education course is that it is a postgraduate course whereas this course is an undergraduate course.