Vol. 529 No. 1
519 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has considered making a financial contribution to nurses who undertake a conversion course, the higher diploma in nursing in the United Kingdom, in order to satisfy An Bord Altranais that they have obtained qualifications required to nurse in Irish hospitals; if he will consider making a contribution toward the cost of this conversion course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30494/00]
Following a meeting last month with representatives of state enrolled nurses, SENs, I have approved the provision of a grant of £6,000 to any SEN employed in our health services who undertakes a nursing conversion course in the United Kingdom. Payment of this grant will be made in return for a commitment on the part of the SENs concerned that they will work as nurses here following successful completion of the conversion course and registration as a nurse with the UK registering authority and with An Bord Altranais.
I also wish to confirm that those SENs who successfully complete the nursing conversion programme at Chester College which they commenced in February 2000 will benefit from this new nurse recruitment initiative. A number of Deputies have previously tabled questions on behalf of this particular group, and I am pleased to provide an assurance that they will be eligible for grant support on the same basis as SENs commencing nursing conversion courses this year.
