Written Answers. - Student Nurses.
Richard Bruton
Question:
117
Mr. R. Bruton
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
if he has responded to submissions made on behalf of student nurses regarding the financial provision made for them during their course of study and their obligation to pay fees for degree level qualifications; and, if so, the terms of his response and the nature of the negotiations which he plans in order to deal with these concerns.
[13782/98]
I have responded to submissions made on behalf of student nurses participating in the nursing registration-diploma programmes regarding the matters referred to by the Deputy. For the benefit of the Deputy, I will restate my position in relation to these matters.
It is important to outline the change that has taken place in pre-registration nursing education and training. The traditional apprenticeship model has been replaced by the nursing-registration diploma programme. As a result, the concept of a student nurse as a salaried employee of a relevant health agency no longer applies in the case of students participating in the diploma based programme. Such students are affiliated to a third level institute and have student status only. Nursing students are, therefore, supernumerary and are not paid a salary, but receive a package of financial supports including an annual maintenance grant.
I recently approved a package of enhanced financial supports for student nurses participating in the nursing registration-diploma programmes, including a 20 per cent increase in their annual maintenance grant. The total extra cost of these improved supports in 1998 alone is in the region of £1 million.
I emphasise that student nurses participating in the nursing diploma programmes receive a far higher level of financial support than other third level students. Each student nurse receives an annual maintenance grant of £3,000. This grant is not subject to a means test. In contrast, other third level students are required to satisfy a means test in order to qualify for a maintenance grant, the maximum rate of which is £1,624 per annum.
Since the abolition of third level fees does not extend to the nursing diploma programmes, the student nurses' fees continue to be paid by the relevant health agency on their behalf The average annual fee is about £1,300.
A book allowance of £200 and a uniform allowance of £120 is also provided for each student commencing the diploma programme. They are also entitled to receive free meals on a seven day per week basis in designated restaurants in health institutions.
In addition, a new allowance of £20 per week was recently introduced to assist students undertaking external placements. This is payable where it is necessary for the student to find accommodation for the duration of the placement. Students undertaking such placements who do not require accommodation receive a free weekly travel pass.
The average annual total value of these supports is £6,000 per student, which compares most favourably with the level of funding available to other third level students.
With regard to the issue of fees payable in respect of the one year full-time degree course, the position is that successful completion by a student of the three year nursing registration-diploma programme leads to registration as a nurse with An Bord Altranais, at which point he or she will become eligible for employment as a nurse. Since a degree in nursing is not a requirement for registration as a nurse and subsequent employment, such a qualification would be an optional post-registration qualification. Members of the nursing profession wishing to undertake a nursing degree programme are, therefore, responsible for making their own arrangements, including the payment of course fees. I am not in a position to provide funding for these courses.
The whole area of pre-registration nursing education and training is currently being examined by the Commission on Nursing. It is my intention to review the present arrangements in the light of the recommendations made by the commission in its final report, which is expected later this year.
