Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 145: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when she expects that nurses prescribing will be implemented in the Irish health care system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29570/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Irish Medicines Board (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2006 (No. 3 of 2006) contains an enabling provision for the extension of prescriptive authority to nurses and midwives (Section 16 (l) (ii)). Under the terms of this provision nurses and midwives may be granted prescriptive authority subject to such conditions as may be specified in regulations.

My Department launched a public consultation process on the extension of prescriptive authority to nurses and midwives in May this year. Respondents were given a six week time frame to return submissions. I am pleased to say that a large number of submissions, some 122, were received in reply to my Department's public request for same. Officials of my Department are currently finalising the Review of Submissions, the findings of which will inform the drafting of the Statutory Instrument (S.I.) drawing up regulations to introduce nurse/midwife prescribing.

It is anticipated that the drafting of the S.I. for the Regulations on nurse/midwife prescribing will take some weeks. Furthermore, in accordance with Directive 98/34/EC (as amended by Directive 98/48/EC) any draft regulations which will effect the Internal Market must be notified to the EU. Accordingly, the Draft S.I. on nurse/midwife prescribing must be circulated to each Member State who are given a three month time frame to consider same. However, I am confident that the Regulations to enable nurse/midwife prescribing will be in place early next year.

It must be noted that before any nurse/midwife may prescribe, she/he must undertake a specific educational package for nurse/midwife prescribers. Discussions are currently underway with the relevant stakeholders to ensure that the requisite education programme will be put in place.