Vol. 534 No. 3
177 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans he has in co-operation with An Bord Altranais, to set up a course here in order that State enrolled nurses can do a qualifying course to become State registered nurses. [10650/01]
The State Enrolled Nurse (SEN) qualification is a United Kingdom qualification which is not recognised here. Persons who have obtained that qualification must undertake a nursing conversion programme in the United Kingdom to qualify for registration as a nurse. Unfortunately, it is not possible to provide such a programme here because the rules of the UK regulatory authority for nursing only allow for not more than 10% of the clinical component of the programme taking place outside of its jurisdiction.
However, under a recent initiative taken by me, any State Enrolled Nurse working in the Irish health service wishing to undertake a nursing conversion programme in the United Kingdom will now qualify for a non-means tested grant of IR£6,000. The grant will be paid in return for a commitment on the part of the SEN to work as a nurse in the Irish health service following completion of the programme and registration as a nurse with An Bord Altranais.
There are several hundred SENs working in our health service who are making an important contribution to patient care across a range of settings. My initiative provides them with a financial incentive to upgrade to the level of registered nurses.
