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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 1 Mar 2000

Vol. 515 No. 4

Written Answers. - Nursing Staff.

Ulick Burke

Question:

112 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of permanent nurses employed at University College Hospital, Galway, and Merlin Park Hospital compared to the numbers employed in each of the years from 1997 to 1999; the complement necessary to fully staff these hospitals; the corresponding breakdown between permanent and part-time or temporary in these years for each hospital; and his views on whether the shortage of fully trained nurses is causing problems for the intake of patients on waiting list at these hospitals. [6396/00]

The principal source of data on employment levels among nurses is my Department's annual personnel census. The most recent census available is 31 December 1998.

The number of permanent and part-time/temporary nurses in University College Hospital Galway, UCHG, and Merlin Park Hospital at 31 December 1998 as compared with 31 December 1997 was as follows:

Permanent

Temp/Part-time

UCHG

1997

458.35

132.35

1998

533.35

78.85

Merlin Park:

1997

147.00

86.00

1998

170.80

60.00

It is not possible to be definitive as to the total nursing complement required to provide adequate staffing for hospitals. The Commission on Nursing recommended that the Department of Health and Children, health service providers and nursing organisations examine the development of appropriate systems to determine nursing staffing levels. The need to address skill mix issues was also highlighted in the Commission on Nursing report. Both of these recommendations are included in the priority action plan agreed with the Nursing Alliance as part of the settlement of the nurses' strike. It has been agreed that these issues will be addressed by a joint committee representative of nursing unions and health service employers. This committee is in the process of being established.
The most recent survey of nursing vacancies was carried out by the Health Service Employers Agency, HSEA, and related to the position at 30 September 1999. This was the most comprehensive report to date and covered all agencies and nursing disciplines. The results confirmed again that there is not a nation-wide problem regarding the availability of nurses and that difficulties largely relate to the greater Dublin area. Indications are that the level of applicants for nursing posts outside the Dublin area far exceeds the number of positions available. The Western Health Board reported no vacancies in its area.
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