Vol. 484 No. 3
372 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to abolish fees for nurses studying for a degree course in view of the fact that nurses are the only full-time students in a State funded college to have to pay fees for their degree which is discriminatory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22128/97]
As Deputies are aware, a revised programme for basic pre-registration nurse education and training was introduced in October 1994 on a pilot basis and has since been extended to a large number of nursing schools in association with local higher education institutions. The programme is funded by the Department of Health and Children, at a cost of some £13 million in 1997. Successful completion of the three year programme leads to a Diploma in Nursing Studies and students are eligible to register with An Bord Altranais for employment as a nurse.
The position in relation to the continuing education of nurses is that the Department of Health and Children has been engaged in consultations with a number of third level institutions in relation to the development of accessible degree programmes which would be open both to nurses who complete the new education and training programme and to nurses who qualified under the traditional model of education and training. The purpose of these programmes is to provide those members of the nursing profession who wish to obtain a post-registration qualification at degree level with an opportunity to do so by means of a one year part-time programme. The first such programme was offered by Dublin City University earlier this year and I understand Trinity College, Dublin, proposes to offer a similar part-time programme from February 1998. These programmes are provided on a self-financing basis and the nurses involved can claim tax relief on their fees or apply to their relevant health agency for assistance from the funding provided by the Department of Health and Children for the continuing education of registered nurses.
I assume the Deputy is referring to the proposal of the National University of Ireland, Galway to offer a one year degree programme, on a full-time basis, from January 1998. The present position is that the Higher Education Authority has discussed the proposed course with the National University of Ireland, Galway, and has asked the university to align its proposal with the approach adopted in the other colleges.
