Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Feb 2002

Vol. 547 No. 3

Written Answers. - Tuition Costs.

Brian Hayes

Ceist:

219 Mr. B. Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the costs associated with a postgraduate diploma in clinical practice to nurses are paid by all health authorities except the Eastern Regional Health Authority; if he will instruct the authority concerned to pay the costs associated with this postgraduate course for nurses; his views on whether there is a need for a national policy in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3238/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

On 29 November 2000, I announced details of a £5 million package of incentives aimed at attracting nurses and midwives back to work, retaining nurses and midwives in the public health service, and addressing shortages in specialist areas.

As part of that initiative, nurses and midwives undertaking higher diploma and certificate courses in certain specialised areas of clinical practice receive full pay while doing so. They are also entitled to have their fees paid in full, in return for a commitment on their part to continue working within the public health service in the specialist area concerned for one year, 12 months, following completion of the course. In May 2001, I extended the range of courses covered by the initiative to include specialised areas of clinical practice.

This initiative forms part of my overall nurse recruitment-retention strategy, which is currently funded to the level of €11.5 million or £9 million annually. This is in addition to the €10.8 million or £8.5 million which was allocated to health agencies for continuing nurse education between 1994 and 1999. The post-graduate diploma in clinical practice at University of Dublin, Trinity College, referred to by the Deputy relates to clinical practice generally. Since it does not lead to the award of a qualification in a specialist area of clinical practice, it is outside the scope of the funding initiative. Participants on this course may, however, apply for assistance from local continuing nurse education budgets.