asked the Minister for Health if he has any proposal to bring the training of, and the qualifications for, nurses into line with those in the EEC: if the EEC Commission lays down a common standard for all member states and, if so, when he proposes that this standard should operate in Ireland.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Nursing Standard.
15.
EEC directives on general nurse training and qualifications were implemented in this country by regulations entitled the European Communities (Recognition of General Nursing Qualifications) Regulations 1980, (S.I. No. 237 of 1980) made on 22 July 1980. These directives provide for the mutual recognition of qualifications of member states and lay down minimum requirements as to training and experience which give nurses freedom of movement to practice in an EEC country other than the one in which they qualified.
Minimum training requirements which give freedom of movement immediately on qualifying are obligatory for nurses who commenced training after 22 July 1980. An Bord Altranais, who have statutory responsibility for ensuring that these requirements are implemented, have modified their syllabus accordingly and discussions have taken place with the training schools and other parties concerned to ensure that the students in question, who will be qualifying from November 1983 onwards, will get the requisite training.
It is, of course, desirable that nurses in training on 22 July 1980 and for whom these training requirements are not obligatory should, if possible, also have the minimum training required by the directives. They would then have freedom of movement immediately they qualify and would not be required, as provided in the directives, to have three years post qualification nursing experience in the five years before taking up practice in another EEC country. The necessary training is available, some of it has already been provided and the balance can be made available in time for those qualifying next November if there is co-operation on the part of all concerned. I am very hopeful that this co-operation will be forthcoming.
I wish to thank the Minister for his helpful reply which indicates that nurses qualifying from next year onwards will be able to secure employment outside the country if that is necessary. Could he clarify the position with regard to nurses who are at present experiencing difficulty on the basis of the training they have had in recent years and whether, after a period, they too will not be at a disadvantage compared to their peers?
The nurses who come out from the end of this year will be covered. Once that happens all the nurses up to that stage will be covered. That is the way it will work. The basic problem was to provide the resources so that it would become effective this year. They were not provided in the initial budget but, from the extra money allocated in the budget, I was able to ensure that would happen. The Deputy can rest assured that the provision is there to cover nurses and that means there will not be a problem.
Is there a retrospective effect?
Yes, once it is done in time. If it is not you would not have met the requirements.