Vol. 546 No. 3
177 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the Western Health Board has reduced the food allowance granted to student nurses from £47 to £20 per week; his views on whether this is a step which will instil confidence in the nursing career; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32113/01]
237 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to a decision by the Western Health Board to reduce meal allowances to student nurses in their area from £47.18 to £20 per week and the fact that this reduction would mean that student nurses would be expected to live on £2.85 per day plus one meal voucher; his views on whether this is a satisfactory situation; the reason for the decision made by the health board; if he has provided sufficient moneys for the health board to reverse this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31789/01]
243 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will provide additional funding to the Western Health Board to pay first-year student nurses the maintenance allowances at the £47 rate given to second and third-year students; his views on the inequity towards and discrimination against first-year students in this regard; and his further views as to whether this is helpful for a health board who hopes to retain these professional persons at a later date in its employment. [31880/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 177, 237 and 243 together.
Nursing students on the pre-registration nursing diploma programmes are entitled to receive free meals on a seven day per week basis in designated health service institutions.
I have been informed by the Western Health Board that the manner in which the board continues to meet this requirement is currently the subject of discussions between the board and unions representing the nursing students concerned. The unions are currently considering proposals which were made by the board at a recent meeting. If these proposals are accepted, the Western Health Board will be in a position to fund their implementation from within its existing financial resources.
