Tony Gregory
Ceist:88 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the campaign by student nurses that they be included in the third level free fees scheme in the interest of fairness. [11468/00]
Vol. 518 No. 4
88 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the campaign by student nurses that they be included in the third level free fees scheme in the interest of fairness. [11468/00]
The revised programme for basic pre-registration nurse education and training was introduced in October 1994. The programme is funded by the Department of Health and Children and is fully operational since 1998. 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. While undertaking the diploma programme, the students' fees are paid by the relevant health agency and they receive an annual non means-tested maintenance grant and other supports.
The Department of Health and Children consulted a number of colleges on the development of accessible degree programmes, which would be open both to nurses graduating under the revised programme and to nurses who graduated under the traditional model of education and training. These programmes were intended to offer post-registration qualifications on a part-time basis. A number of part-time degree programmes have been introduced on a self-financing basis and I understand that it is open to nurses who are employed by health agencies to apply to their employers for financial support towards the cost of undertaking such courses. Part-time courses do not come within the scope of the free fees initiative. Tax relief is available at the standard rate, under section 475 of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997, for tuition fees paid by eligible students who are attending approved part-time third level courses.