Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Jan 2001

Vol. 529 No. 1

Written Answers. - Nursing Placements.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

717 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received a letter dated 6 December 2000 from an organisation (details supplied) on the issue of accessing placements for Filipino nurses; his response to the issue raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2212/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I have received the letter referred to by the Deputy and I have replied to the organisation concerned. As I explained in my reply, I have made funding available to the Health Service Employers Agency to employ a nurse manager to co-ordinate the provision of supervised clinical placements for nurses recruited from abroad. As you are aware, nurses from the Philippines and certain other non-EU countries are required to undertake such placements prior to registration with An Bord Altranais.

The recruitment of nurses from abroad is helping to ease staffing difficulties across a range of health care settings. However, some problems have arisen in relation to the availability of supervised clinical placements, and I am determined that nurses requiring such placements will be provided with them. The Health Service Employers Agency co-ordinator will have a nationwide remit in ensuring the availability of sufficient clinical placements.

I have also met with representatives of An Bord Altranais to discuss the need for greater flexibility in relation to the clinical sites where nurses from abroad may undertake their super vised placements. The board has responded positively to certain proposals made by me in this regard.

My Department is providing funding to teaching hospitals involved in the provision of supervised clinical placements in respect of the salary of a clinical co-ordinator, and clerical support, for the duration of such placements. Since this is the biggest single cost element, the availability of funding to cover it will greatly reduce the overall cost to agencies, such as nursing homes, which are recruiting nurses from non-EU countries. Other costs associated with these placements, including vaccination and meals, will continue to be a matter for negotiation between the individual hospital and prospective employer concerned.

Question No. 718 answered with Question No. 579.

Question No. 719 answered with Question No. 531.