Noel O'Flynn (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 167: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that An Bord Altranais have introduced a rule change, which will remove the registered general nurse and midwifery qualifications as a prerequisite for entry into the higher diploma in public health nursing programmes. [25564/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I can assure the Deputy that I am aware of the Rule change to which he refers. Such change is reflected in the Rule Changes which obtained my signed approval on 7th December, 2004. In fact, the Report of the Commission on Nursing which was published in 1998 considered that registration as a midwife should no longer be a mandatory requirement for entry to the higher diploma in Public Health Nursing or registration as a Public Health Nurse.

I understand that An Bord Altranais, which is the statutory independent body charged with the regulation of the nursing profession has developed the Maternal and Child Health module for those nurses wishing to become a Public Health Nurse and who do not have a midwifery qualification. The new requirements will be implemented in the third level colleges from September, 2007.

In addition, the Board has developed Requirements and Standards for Public Health Registration Education Programmes for nurses registered in the General Division of the Register of Nurses maintained by the Board.

I am advised that the Board is currently consulting with relevant stakeholders to finalise the Requirements and Standards for Public Health Nurse Registration Education Programmes to facilitate those nurses other than General Nurses to undertake the Public Health Nurse education programme.