Bernard J. Durkan
Question:187 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of nurses trained in Ireland in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5753/00]
Written Answers. - Nursing Training.
The number of nurses trained in Ireland in each of the past ten years is as follows:
|
Year |
Number of Nurses Trained |
|
1990 |
1162 |
|
1991 |
1225 |
|
1992 |
1188 |
|
1993 |
1327 |
|
1994 |
1362 |
|
1995 |
1390 |
|
1996 |
1387 |
|
1997 |
1235 |
|
1998 |
1291 |
|
1999 |
1192 |
There was a highly successful outcome to last year's competitions for training places on the nursing registration-diploma programmes. A total of 1,215 training places were filled: 812 in general, 254 in psychiatric and 149 in mental handicap nursing which proves that there continues to be considerable interest among young people and others in nursing as a career. Funding of £360,000 has been provided for both national and local recruitment campaigns in advance of this year's competition.
This year an additional 300 places nationally are being provided. Overall, some 1,500 places on the general, psychiatric and mental handicap nursing diploma programmes will be available. This is being done in response to the evident nursing shortage, and honours a commitment given to the Alliance of Nursing Unions as part of the settlement of the nurses' pay dispute. The development of a new nurse education facility in Castlebar, the re-designation of the Southern Health Board School of General Nursing in Tralee General Hospital and the re-activation of the North Eastern Health Board Regional School of Psychiatric Nursing is a central component to the Government's overall strategy for ensuring that this commitment is delivered upon.