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Health Services Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020

Tuesday, 8 September 2020

Ceisteanna (1083)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

1083. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of increasing the number of undergraduate nursing places by 250; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21346/20]

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Freagraí scríofa

Ireland has a four year nursing/midwifery degree programme. Therefore, the full year effect of the cost of increasing the number of undergraduate nursing and midwifery places by 250 arises from year four onwards and this is estimated to be € 20,260,000. Costs can be broken down into four main areas -

The Higher Education Authority uses a figure of €7,500 per student per year as representing an average of funding currently provided by them for grants and fees for nursing and midwifery undergraduate places. Given that four cohorts of the increased number of 250 would be in place by year four, the estimated annual cost from that point onwards is €7,500,000. During the final year of the programme students are on rostered work placements and are paid 70% of the first point of the staff nurse salary scale for a period of 36 weeks. The estimated annual cost of this for 250 students is €5,900,000. Each placement requires supervisory, teaching and assessment support which is provided by a team of Clinical Placement Co-ordinators, Allocations Liaison Officers and Nurse Tutors. The estimated annual cost of this is €6,400,000 to provide the support required for the four cohorts of the increased number of 250 which would be in place by year four.

There is also travel / accommodation allowances of €50.79 per student for clinical placement weeks which estimates to €460,000 over 4 years.

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