Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 87: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the Nurses Act 1985 will be amended as recommended by the nursing commission in relation to midwifery; if the new legislation will be prepared in consultation with midwives; if the autonomous role of midwives will be specifically recognised; if her attention has been drawn to a shortage of midwives in the Dublin area and of forecasts of an even greater decline in numbers; if her attention has further been drawn to fact that the removal of the midwifery qualification for entry to public health nursing will further impact on recruitment to the profession; her views on whether direct entry midwifery programmes at degree level are urgently needed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8404/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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My Department is currently involved in drafting new legislation which will amend the Nurses Act 1985. The new legislation will modernise the regulatory framework operated by An Bord Altranais for nurses and midwives. Work on the draft Heads of the Bill is at an advanced stage and all stakeholders will have an opportunity to comment on the draft legislation.

It is my intention that the new legislation will acknowledge the request from midwives for recognition of their distinct identity and, in accordance with recommendation 4.45 of the Commission on Nursing, will provide for the establishment of a statutory midwives committee.

The removal of the midwifery qualification as an eligibility requirement for entry to public health nursing is a matter for An Bord Altranais. Regulation of the nursing and midwifery professions, including the setting of requirements and standards in the education programmes leading to registration, is the statutory responsibility of An Bord Altranais. I understand that, in removing this requirement, the board was mindful of recommendation 8.30 of the report of the Commission on Nursing which recommended dropping the mandatory requirement of a midwifery qualification for those wishing to train as public health nurses.

The recruitment and retention of adequate numbers of nurses and midwives has been a concern of this Government for some time. There are approximately 900 nursing and midwifery staff in the three Dublin maternity hospitals. According to the most recent Health Service Executive nursing resources survey there were 27 vacancies in these hospitals at the end of December 2004.

An expert group on midwifery and children's nurse education was established in September 2004 to develop a comprehensive strategy for the future of midwifery and children's nursing. The expert group, which comprised representatives from the Department of Health and Children, the education sector, health service providers and unions, presented its report to me in late December 2004.

The report is under active consideration at present and a decision on the future of midwifery education will be announced shortly.