Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 23 Jun 1998

Vol. 492 No. 7

Written Answers. - Third Level Fees.

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

Solicitors representing students who are studying for a nursing degree in NUI, Galway, have initiated legal proceedings regarding the non-inclusion of the one year add-on course leading to the award of a BSc. nursing degree at NUI, Galway, in the free fees initiative. As the matter will be before the courts, I do not consider it appropriate for me to make any further statement on the matter.

The education and training of nurses is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children. 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. 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 programme is funded by the Department of Health and Children, at a cost of some £13 million in 1997, and, accordingly, the question of student fees for the diploma programme does not arise.

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. These programmes are provided on a self-financing basis and the nurses involved can claim tax relief on their fees or can 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.

A one year full-time degree course leading to a bachelor of nursing commenced in January last in the National University of Ireland, Galway. When the Higher Education Authority became aware of the proposal to introduce this course, it had discussions with the National University of Ireland, Galway, and asked the university to align its proposal with the approach adopted in the other colleges. The university advised the Higher Education Authority that it was porceeding with the course and I understand that 51 students enrolled on the course. In view of these developments and the implications for nursing education generally, my Department is currently engaged in further discussions on the matter with the Department of Health and Children which is awaiting the final report of the Commission on Nursing which will address issues relating to both pre-registration nursing education and training.