Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 March 2019
701. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the provisions being made to provide funding for practice nurse education; the reason no funding is available for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13205/19]
View answerPractice nurses are not public employees but are employed directly by individual GPs who operate as independent private contractors. Under the terms of the GP contract, GPs can claim practice support subsidies towards the cost of employing a practice nurse. The terms and conditions of the contract of employment are negotiated directly with each nurse employed.
The Office of Nursing and Midwifery Directorate in the HSE currently employs five Practice Nurse Coordinators who are responsible for the professional development of practice nurses.
