Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 232: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the stage the Nurses and Midwives Bill is at; when it will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11284/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The General Scheme of the new Nurses and Midwives Bill has been drafted. The Government gave approval for the Draft General Scheme of the Bill to be published as part of the public consultation process which commenced on 30 November 2007. Over 200 written submissions were received by my Department. These are now being examined and will inform the future development of the Bill and the Regulatory Impact Analysis which is also being undertaken.

The purpose of the Bill is to modernise the regulatory framework for nurses and midwives and to enhance patient safety and the protection of the public. The Bill is consistent with the Government's commitment to strengthen and expand the provisions for the statutory regulation of health professionals.