Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 May 2000

Vol. 519 No. 3

Written Answers - Public Health Nurses.

Pat Carey

Question:

179 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the lack of public health nurses in the northern health board area; if this shortage could be alleviated in some measure by the re-introduction of the arrangements whereby qualified nurses could be paid while pursuing their two year full-time course to qualify as public health nurses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13885/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I am advised that the current position in the northern area health board in relation to public health nursing staff is as follows:

Grade	Complement	UnfilledVacancies
Director of public health nursing	3	0
Asst. director of public health nursing	12	1
Public health nurse	153.5	19

The most recent recruitment campaign within the Eastern Regional Health Authority in respect of public health nurses is almost complete and staff will be assigned to the three area health boards within the coming weeks.

The higher diploma in public health nursing is offered on a calendar year, full-time basis in both University College, Cork, and University College, Dublin. There are 60 places in all between both locations and all places are filled. In this context, the level of sponsorship is not an issue affecting the availability of public health nurses. My Department is currently examining the possibility of increasing the number of training places.

While my Department's circular letter number 27/66 provides for the sponsorship of student public health nurses by health boards, there are wide variations between boards with regard to the level of sponsorship. The priority action plan for implementation of the Commission on Nursing report includes a commitment to the "Introduction of uniform criteria in relation to the provision of financial support to nurses and midwives undertaking post-registration education courses, in order to ensure equity". The sponsorship arrangements for student public health nurses will be addressed in this context.