Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 October 2016
132. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills the options open to a person (details supplied) who wishes to return to study nursing here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29545/16]
View answerAn individual can study to be a nurse or midwife at one of the 13 Irish Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) which offer Nursing and Midwifery Degree Programmes. The total number of college places available for nursing and midwifery in the HEIs is approximately 1,570. The HEIs provide programmes in:
General nursing
Children's and general nursing (integrated)
Intellectual disability nursing
Midwifery
Psychiatric nursing
All of the programmes are at Level 8 Honours Bachelor Degree. On successful completion a graduate will receive the academic award Bachelor of Science (BSc) and will be eligible to apply to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
All applicants must firstly apply for their preferred courses through the Central Applications Office (CAO). Prior to applying, candidates are advised to study the CAO Handbook and the websites of the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), which offer nursing and midwifery programmes. In relation to offers of a place on the programme, the CAO operates an Order of Merit (OOM) list.
The CAO Handbook provides the information required. The CAO Handbook for 2017 will be available on 04 November 2016.
In addition to the NMBI requirements, candidates will be required to meet the basic minimum requirements for the HEI concerned. It is essential to consult the websites of individual HEIs.
HEAR and DARE
Students may also avail of the HEAR and DARE schemes.
HEAR is a college and university admissions scheme offering places on reduced points and extra college support to school leavers from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. An applicant must be a school leaver who has completed a Leaving Certificate and under the age of 23 by 1 January of the year entry.
HEAR applicants must also meet a range of financial, social and cultural indicators to be considered for a reduced points place and extra college support. For further information, visit www.accesscollege.ie.
DARE is a college and university admissions scheme offering places on reduced points basis to school leavers with disabilities who are under 23 years of age by 1 January in the year of entry. If the candidate is a school leaver who would like to succeed in higher education but may not be able to meet the points for their preferred course, due to the impact of a disability, please refer to www.accesscollege.ie.
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI):
Specific Level 5 and some Level 6 further education and training certificates awarded by QQI may be considered as an entry route for standard code applicants to nursing/midwifery. These are:
Nursing Studies
Healthcare Support
Community and Health Services
Health Service Skills
A person would need to explore these options directly with the relevant course providers and the relevant HEIs to ensure that any such courses meet the NMBI requirements and the basic minimum requirements for the HEI concerned.
