Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 137: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children with regard to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 20, the reason a decision letter from An Bord Altranais issued on 6 November 2003 setting out that they must undertake an adaptation period in midwifery before a period of adaptation in general nursing, in view of their preference not to practice midwifery; and the fact that this has made it difficult for them to get a hospital to agree to take them on. [27428/05]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 138: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 20 has been waiting since 26 April 2004 for a response to their appeal to a decision by An Bord Altranais not to grant them recognition for general nursing in view of the fact that they complied fully with criteria; the reason they have been waiting since August 2004 as they received no response to their first appeal; and the further reason they received no response to another appeal in September 2005. [27429/05]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 139: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 20 has not received a decision letter from An Bord Altranais. [27430/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 to 139, inclusive, together.

An Bord Altranais has statutory authority for the registration of nurses under the Nurses Act, 1985.

I am sure that the Deputy will appreciate that An Bord Altranais must process each application thoroughly to ensure that all those entered on the register of nurses are deemed professionally qualified and competent for such registration. The protection of the public underpins this process. I am satisfied that the board discharges its functions in a professional manner.

In 2004, over 3,500 newly registered qualifications were entered on the register. With regard to individual applications I am informed that decisions are normally issued to applicants within six weeks. However, errors or omissions in information supplied to the board can cause delays. It may be that reasons such as these have contributed to any delay in processing the application referred to by the Deputy.

Given the statutory functions of the board, it would not be appropriate for the Minister to intervene in individual applications for registration.