Nursing students on the diploma programmes receive an annual non-means tested maintenance grant of £3,325 as well as other financial supports. I am increasing this grant by £245 to £3,570 with effect from 1 June. Student nurses commencing the diploma programme also benefit from a book allowance of £250 along with a uniform allowance of £150. These allowances will increase to £270 and £160, respectively, with effect from 1 June. Student nurses are also entitled to receive free meals on a seven-day per week basis in designated health institutions.
In early 1998, a new allowance of £20 per week was introduced to assist students undertaking external clinical placements. This is payable where it is necessary for the students to find alternative accommodation away from their normal place of residence for the duration of the placement. This allowance was increased to £30 per week in 2000 and will rise by a further £10 per week to £40 with effect from 1st June. Students undertaking external clinical placements also receive a weekly travel pass.
Since the abolition of third level fees does not extend to the nursing diploma programmes, the student nurses' fees continue to be paid by the relevant health agency on their behalf. The average annual fee is about £1,600. The average annual total value of these supports is some £7,000 per nursing student, which compares most favourably with the level of funding available to other third level students.
The full year cost of the enhancements to the various allowances is in the region of £1 million. Apart from benefiting students already in training, I am hopeful that these improved supports will help to sustain the interest of this year's 6,000 applicants in nursing as a career.
