Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 364: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the large scale exodus of Irish trained nurses from the profession on an annual basis; if she has identified the cause or causes and will address the issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6519/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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There is not a large scale exodus of Irish trained nurses from the profession. Health service employers have been successful in recruiting and retaining additional nurses in recent years. The number of nurses and midwives employed in the public health service is at an all time high. The most recent personnel census found that there were 36,730 whole time equivalent nurses and midwives in the public health service at the end of December 2006. This represents a 42% increase in the number of nurses and midwives over the last ten years. There are of course some Irish nurses and midwives who wish to work abroad — nursing along with other health care professions operates within a global labour market. The fact that an Irish qualification is recognised internationally is an attraction to some people considering a career in nursing. Australia appears to be the most popular destination for Irish trained nurses who wish to work abroad. However, it should be noted that Australia is a very popular destination for Irish people generally in their 20s and 30s. It is my understanding that many of the Irish nurses who work abroad return to Ireland having gained valuable experience in overseas health systems.