Nursing Staff Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 May 2014

Tuesday, 27 May 2014

Questions (905)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

905. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to recent correspondence from a nursing home (details supplied) in County Dublin, regarding severe nursing shortages; if he will take urgent action to address this matter through either the provision of an extra clinical facilitator for Beaumont Hospital or the approval of this nursing home to do its own nursing adaptations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23085/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

My Department initiated discussions with the Health Service Executive (HSE) to increase the number of adaptation places for nurses and midwives wishing to work in Ireland. As a result, the Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director has been actively working with HSE Acute Hospital Services and Nursing Homes Ireland to increase the number of adaptation and assessment places available to nurses and midwives who require these placements. A one year project will commence shortly which should result in an increased number of places being available from July 2014. Arrangements have been finalised for this project and a communication has been issued by the Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director to the Chief Executive of Nursing Homes Ireland in this regard.