Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 51: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the proposals she has to set up a conversion course here where nurses qualified as SENs in England can upgrade their qualifications to State registered nurse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31704/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The State Enrolled Nurse (SEN) qualification is a United Kingdom qualification which is not recognised in this country as training for it is deemed insufficient to qualify as a nurse registered with An Bord Altranais. Persons who have obtained this qualification must undertake a nursing conversion programme in the United Kingdom in order to qualify for registration as a nurse. Unfortunately it is not possible to provide such a programme here.

However, there is a grant available from the HSE to assist State Enrolled Nurses (SENs) undertaking nursing conversion programmes in the United Kingdom. Under this initiative any SEN working in the Irish health service who wishes to undertake such a programme will be entitled to receive a non-means-tested grant of €7,618 towards the overall costs (including college fees, textbooks, travel and accommodation) involved in attending the programme in the United Kingdom. Payment of the grants will be subject to the SEN giving a written undertaking that s/he will work as a nurse in the Irish health service following registration with An Bord Altranais.