Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 Jun 2000

Vol. 520 No. 4

Written Answers. - Nursing Degree Courses.

Paul McGrath

Question:

103 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if student nurses who commenced their degree year course in January 2000 and have already paid the first part of their tuition fees will, in the light of his recent announcement, qualify for free fees for the remainder of their course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15822/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

As the Deputy will be aware, I recently announced that from 1 January 2001, nurses working in the public health service who want to undertake nursing and certain other undergraduate degree courses on a part-time basis will have their fees paid in full by their employing agencies. Fees will be paid in return for a commitment on the part of the nurses to continue to work in our public health service for a period of up to two years after the completion of the degree course. This fees initiative will continue until at least the year 2005, at an estimated additional annual cost of £3 million.

As this initiative will apply from next year, nurses who commence part-time degree courses before then are outside the scope of it. However, it is open to such nurses to apply to their employers for financial support towards their fees. The main health agencies have continuing nurse education budgets out of which they may provide financial assistance to nurses undertaking post-registration education programmes.