Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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186. To ask the Minister for Health if he, his Department or the Health Service Executive are aware that nursing homes are finding it extremely difficult to get staff onto back to nursing courses and this is causing major staffing problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19869/14]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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187. To ask the Minister for Health if he or his Department have been informed that back to nursing courses or orientation courses to allow nurses who qualified abroad to work in Irish hospitals or nursing homes have been discontinued in many hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19870/14]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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188. To ask the Minister for Health if the Irish Nursing Home Organisation have written to him expressing their concerns regarding finding suitable courses for nursing staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19871/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 186 to 188, inclusive, together.

My Department initiated discussions with the Health Service Executive (HSE) to increase the number of adaptation places for nurses and midwives wishing to work in Ireland on foot of representations to me. As a result, the Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director has been actively working with HSE Acute Hospital Services and Nursing Homes Ireland to increase the number of adaptation and assessment places available to nurses and midwives who require these placements. A one year project will commence shortly which should result in an increased number of places being available from July 2014.

At present arrangements are being finalised for this project and a communication will be issued via Nursing Homes Ireland when this is agreed.