Michael Ring
Question:318 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress, if any, made in the abolishment of undergraduate fees for student nurses. [5866/00]
Written Answers. - Third Level Fees.
Ulick Burke
Question:342 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science if it is his Department's policy and obligation to pay all fees due for full time students following a recognised undergraduate course in State funded colleges; if so, the reason his Department, in consultation with the Department of Health and Children, has not paid student nurses who are finalising their degree course at University College Hospital, Galway, and other colleges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6220/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 318 and 342 together.
The revised programme for pre-registration nurse education and training was introduced in October 1994. The programme is funded by the Department of Health and Children and is fully operational since 1998. 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. While undertaking the diploma programme, the students' fees are paid by the relevant health agency and they receive an annual non means-tested maintenance grant and other supports.
The Department of Health and Children consulted with a number of colleges in relation to the development of accessible degree programmes, which would be open both to nurses graduating under the revised programme and to nurses who graduated under the traditional model of education and training. These programmes were intended to offer post-registration qualifications on a part-time basis. A number of part-time degree programmes have been introduced on a self-financing basis and I understand that it is open to nurses who are employed by health agencies to apply to their employers for financial support towards the cost of undertaking such courses. Part-time courses do not come within the scope of the free fees initiative. I would point out that tax relief is available at the standard rate, under section 475 of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997, for tuition fees paid by eligible students who are attending approved part-time third level courses.
The National University of Ireland, Galway, has introduced a one year full-time nursing degree programme for students who have completed the three year nursing diploma programme. As the Deputies will be aware, my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children has stated that his Department is not in a position to meet the fees of students undertaking this programme.
This degree course has not been included within the scope of my Department's free fees initiative. As this matter is at issue in the case of Sarena Tansey and Othersv. the Minister for Education and Science, the Minister for Health and Children, the Western Health Board, Ireland and the Attorney General, I do not consider it appropriate for me to make any further statement on the matter.
I would, however, refer to the recommendation of the Commission on Nursing that the future framework for the pre-registration education of nurses be based on a four year degree programme, the third year of which will be a 12 month continuous clinical placement as a paid employee of the health service. The commission further recommended that no third level institution should introduce a pre-registration nursing degree programme before the start of 2002-03 academic year. The nursing education forum has been established to prepare a strategy for the implementation of the new four year pre-registration nursing degree programme for the intake of nursing students in 2002.