Vol. 533 No. 3
217 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will give an updated report on the development of a degree course in nursing and, in particular, the assimilation of existing nurse tutors into the new system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8968/01]
The report of the nursing education forum, which I launched on 24 January 2001, sets out a strategic framework for the implementation of a four year undergraduate pre-registration nursing degree programme. The Government has agreed in principle to the introduction of such a programme in 2002 subject to the satisfactory resolution of certain outstanding issues. These relate to the additional capital and revenue funding required to support the programme and the basis on which nurse teachers will transfer to the higher education sector.
The funding issues are currently being considered by an interdepartmental steering committee which has been established in response to a recommendation of the nursing education forum. My Department has been facilitating direct discussions between representatives of third level institutions and the nursing unions in relation to the assimilation of nurse teachers into the third level sector. These discussions are nearing completion.
