Written Answers. - Nursing Staff.
Liam Aylward
Ceist:
406
Mr. Aylward
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
his views on whether the action taken by An Bord Altranais not to withdraw the offers made in error for the registration/diploma programme in nursing 2001 was correct; his further views on whether this action was just and honest to the applicants who successfully passed the assessment test and interview and who did not receive an offer; if he will direct An Bord Altranais to offer those candidates a place in the 2002 programme without having to sit another test and interview; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[22630/01]
Paul McGrath
Ceist:
431
Mr. McGrath
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many mature students who had applied through the CAO system for positions in nursing schools cannot be enrolled as student nurses due to an administrative error; the communication he has had with An Bord Altranais or the CAO office on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[21104/01]
Michael Ring
Ceist:
464
Mr. Ring
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
the number of places available for trainee nurses for the 2001 academic year; the number of places available for mature students; the number of places available for students; the number of places which were made available for mature students resulting from the error in relation to CAO offers; and the action he is taking to compensate those who have lost out as a result of this mistake.
[21413/01]
Pat Carey
Ceist:
514
Mr. P. Carey
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
if the position of offers to mature nursing students has been clarified; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[21723/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 406, 431, 464 and 514 together.
The Nursing Careers Centre, which is managed by An Bord Altranais, handles arrangements for the annual intakes of students, both school leavers and mature, to the nursing diploma programmes. From this year, in line with a recommendation of the Commission on Nursing, the application system for places on those programmes is being administered by the Central Applications Office, CAO, in close co-operation with the Nursing Careers Centre, NCC. The NCC administered the special requirements for entry to nursing for mature code applicants. Included in the special requirements was a written assessment and a pass/fail interview. The outcome resulted in 717 applicants reaching a satisfactory standard and these were deemed qualified. The NCC and the CAO very much regret the error which occurred during the initial offer of places to mature applicants. In round one, approximately 200 applicants who had scored lowest in the application process, were erroneously offered preferential places. The error was discovered immediately, and following joint discussions between the NCC and the CAO, it was decided firstly to honour the offers made in error, and secondly, to re-run the file to offer places to all those who were entitled to receive an offer. This ensured that no mature code applicant was disadvantaged due to the administrative error. The offer process will continue up until 17 October 2001.
My Department was informed of the error immediately it was discovered, and An Bord Altranais has kept it fully up to date on developments. An Bord Altranais has assured my Department that the decisions taken by the NCC and the CAO in the management of the error were fair and just and sought to ensure that all those who were entitled to an offer received one. The number of places available for student nurse training in 2001 is 1,559. Some 1,045 places are available in general nursing, 314 places are available in psychiatric nursing and 200 places are available in mental handicap nursing. Each year, a quota of places in each of the three diploma programmes is specifically allocated for mature applicants. The approximate quota available for mature applicants in 2001 is 156 places in general nursing, 15%, 121 places in psychiatric nursing, 35%, and 70 places in mental handicap nursing 35%, a total of 347 places. As of 26 September 2001, 549 mature applicants have been offered a place with 482 accepting same. A total of 291 places have been accepted in general nursing, 35 above the original quota, 124 places in psychiatric nursing, three places above the quota, and 67 places in mental handicap nursing, three places less than the quota. As I mentioned earlier, the process of offering places to all applicants for nursing continues up until 17 October 2001, when the result of the last round of CAO offers will be known. An Bord Altranais and the admissions officers of the higher education institutions are continuing to monitor the situation closely. In the meantime, the Nursing Careers Centre is available to provide information for any applicant who wishes to have his or her position clarified.
