Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

In regard to the health care assistants' programme, the body met the management side and the INO representatives. Following those discussions, the body noted that the INO had no principal objection to the implementation of the modules of the health care assistants' programme and it recommended immediate and full co-operation with all the preparation and training arrangements. It recommended the establishment, as the Deputy mentioned, of a high level group representative of An Bord Altranais to examine the outstanding lists. This work is ongoing and will be completed by the end of September. It also noted the issue of nursing practice and delegation.

In regard to what should be included in the benchmarking process, it is a matter for individual groups to make their cases and put forward their submissions. They can do that under the benchmarking process. The issue raised by the Deputy is, to the best of my knowledge, a legitimate issue that the profession can put forward under those arrangements.

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