I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me raise this matter. A principal officer in the Department of Health and Children announced on behalf of the Minister a new initiative on 29 November 2000 concerning funding for specialist nursing courses. Under the initiative a nurse or midwife undertaking certain specialist courses should receive full pay while doing so. The announcement stated that "he or she will also be entitled to have his or her fees paid in full for this course". This is in return for a commitment on the part of the nurse or midwife to continue working within the public health service in the specialist area for one year following completion of the course.
I received a letter from a nurse which states:
I am currently undertaking a higher diploma in orthopaedic nursing in Cappagh Hospital, Finglas, which is affiliated to the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. This course is of 15 months duration and involves working on a full-time basis as a regional general nurse on orthopaedic wards while simultaneously attending college. This course is subject to a fee of £1,600 and a reduction in salary to the first point on the staff nursing scale.
Because the individual wants to do the course and improve her eligibility, she will have a loss of earnings of £8,000 while attending the course. She recently became aware of the circular relating to the announcement made by the Department. I agree with her that the decision taken clearly lacks equality at a time when everybody should be treated the same.
I ask the Minister to rectify this situation. Over the years I have met a number of nurses who had serious difficulty in getting off work to do courses such as this to improve their ability in specialist care. Given the money available and the fact that there are not thousands doing such courses, a person should not be asked to pay a fee and work at the same time and take a drop in their pay scale. In fairness, as the nurse who wrote the letter said, equality should be the order of the day.
The Minister likes to ensure people get fair play and in my dealings with him on committees he has ensured this over recent years. I ask him to consider what I am suggesting and to take these people into consideration.