Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 98: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the extent to which budget 2009 proposals are expected to impact on the number of training places for undergraduates nurses in the health care system; her views on whether a reduction in the number of nurses employed by the Health Service Executive is commensurate with delivery of a quality health service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5352/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The O.E.C.D. Public Management Review: IRELAND — Towards an Integrated Public Service (2008) in its case study: Reconfiguration of the Health Services notes—

"One statistical characteristic of Ireland is its very large number of practising nurses (15.2 per 1,000), which is twice the OECD average, just below Norway (15.4) but much higher than UK (9.1) or France (7.7). The number of nurses graduating every year is also high (14.4), above Norway (10.1), UK (8.6) or France (5.9). This contradicts the universal perception of a "shortage" of nurses, held by health actors in Ireland who were interviewed by the OECD. Partial explanations come from the fact that some 40% of nurses in Ireland work part-time (as compared for example with 26% in France for nurses working in hospitals)."

The Deputy will be aware that in arriving at the 2009 Estimates, all Departments were required to deliver economy savings as part of Budget 2008. I announced that the HSE is to deliver economy savings of €115 million in this context. Among other matters this includes a reduction in nurse training expenditure in 2009. The total cost of nurse education to the health services, both undergraduate and post-registration, is currently in excess of €117 million per annum.

The number of places on the undergraduate nursing degree programmes will be reduced by 310 places from next year. This reduction was finalised following consultation between my Department and the Department of Education and Science.

From next year we will be providing 1,570 undergraduate places in the following courses:

The reduction in places will result in savings of €1.65 million approximately in 2009 and €3.3 million from 2010 onwards.

Nurses trained under the apprenticeship and diploma models undertaking part-time degree courses have been able to apply to their employer to have their course fees paid in return for a service commitment to the public health service. This initiative has been in operation since 2001 and was due for completion before now. It will no longer be available for new entrants from 1 January 2009, resulting in a saving of €2m next year and about €3.8m per annum from 2010 onwards.

Mobility, career breaks, maternity leave and other lifestyle choices all impact on the fluctuations in nurse/midwife numbers employed by the Health Service Executive. However, I am satisfied that the Budget 2009 measures outlined above will not impact significantly on nursing numbers and particularly on the delivery of a quality health service.