Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Apr 2000

Vol. 517 No. 4

Written Answers. - Student Nurses' Fees.

Denis Naughten

Question:

62 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals, if any, he has to review the fee structure for nursing degrees in view of the increasing shortage of nurses within our health service; the discussions, if any, he has had with the Departments of Education and Science and Finance on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9659/00]

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

77 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to the payment of third level fees by student nurses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7115/00]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

201 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he intends to take any action to address the anomaly of university fee charges to student nurses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10164/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 62, 77 and 201 together.

As I indicated in my reply of 24 February 2000, there are two nursing degree courses on offer at the National University of Ireland, Galway: a one-academic year course and a part-time course that can be undertaken over 18 or 24 months. Following the recent Government meeting in Ballaghaderreen, the Taoiseach and my predecessor met a delegation of nursing students wishing to undertake the former course who are seeking to have their fees paid. In response to representations made to my predecessor by the students, an undertaking was given that the Department of Health and Children would investigate whether anything could be done for them.

I should explain that the students concerned have successfully completed the three-year nursing diploma programme and are entitled to register as nurses with An Bord Altranais. While undertaking the diploma programme, their third-level fees were paid by the relevant health agency and they also received an annual non-means tested maintenance grant and other supports. The difficulty with the one-academic year degree course is that it is outside the scope of the funding arrangements agreed between my Department and the Department of Finance in respect of pre-registration nursing education.

The fact is that in 1997, when the college authorities in Galway indicated to my Department that they were proposing to introduce the degree course, my Department made it clear then that it would not be in a position to provide funding for the course and that the approach favoured by it was the provision of part-time degree courses which would be open to graduates from the diploma programme as well as existing registered nurses. I understand the Higher Education Authority expressed similar views to the university. Notwithstanding this, the university unilaterally proceeded to introduce the degree course.

I assure the House that I am absolutely committed to working closely with An Bord Altranais and the nursing unions to implement the recommendations of the Commission on Nursing relating to nursing education, including the introduction of a new four year nursing degree programme. It is important to note that the Commission has recommended that no third-level institution should introduce a pre-registration nursing degree programme before the start of the academic year 2002-2003. Since a degree in nursing is not currently a requirement for registration as a nurse and subsequent employment, it is regarded as an optional post-registration qualification. Members of the nursing profession wishing to undertake a degree programme are, in the same way as any other public service workers, responsible for making their own arrangements, including the payment of course fees. It is, however, open to nurses who are employed by health agencies to apply to their employers for financial support towards the cost of undertaking such courses. Most health agencies have a continuing nursing education budget and funding from this budget is used to help nurses wishing to undertake further education.

My Department has given further consideration to the position of the Galway students wishing to undertake the one-academic year degree course. Unfortunately, it is not possible to deal with these students in isolation. There are currently some 3,100 nursing students participating in the nursing diploma programmes at various third level institutions around the country, and it is expected that there will be an additional 1,500 students next autumn. It would be inequitable to meet the fees of the students who have enrolled for the degree course being provided by NUI Galway but not make similar provision for all the other nursing students.

The concession being sought by the Galway students, if granted, would also give rise to a legitimate expectation on the part of registered nurses undertaking degree and other courses on a part-time basis that they should also have their fees paid in full. In this context, it is important to bear in mind that there are currently in the region of 1,000 nurses undertaking such courses.

A further factor that must be taken into account is the importance of newly qualified nurses who have successfully completed the three-year nursing diploma programme entering the workforce as soon as they are registered. If students were to delay their entry by a further year in order to undertake a degree course on a full-time basis, then this would exacerbate the difficulties that some hospitals are experiencing in recruiting nurses.