Colm Keaveney (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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202. To ask the Minister for Health in view of the fact that a recent study (details supplied) into nurse staffing levels and hospital mortality found that an increase in nurses' workloads by one patient increases the likelihood of inpatient hospital mortality by 7%, if he will consider a review of nurse to patient staffing levels within the Health Service Executive and the establishment of clear nurse to patient ratios, relevant to the different areas of care, throughout the health service that reflect the finding of this study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27641/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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It has been necessary to reduce the numbers of staff employed in the public health service, including nursing, in order to contain health service costs. However, I recognise that there is a balance to be struck to meet both economic requirements and patient safety requirements. Notwithstanding the need to reduce public service numbers, the HSE has the capacity to recruit where it is necessary to do so in order to ensure patient safety and quality care and to support service delivery.

It is imperative that patient safety continues to be maintained in the context of these reductions and achieving this requires that relevant expertise is applied to the decision making process. It is for this reason that I have approved the establishment of a taskforce to develop a framework that will determine the staffing and skill mix requirements for the nursing workforce in a range of major specialties. The focus will be on the development of staffing and skill mix ranges which take account of a number of influencing factors. The taskforce is being chaired by the Chief Nursing Officer.

It is important also to note the link between nursing qualifications and safety and to recognise that nurse education levels are also linked to patient outcomes. The Lancet study showed that a 10% increase in the proportion of nurses holding a nursing degree is associated with a 7% decrease in the risk of death. Ireland has invested significantly in nurse education since the Commission on Nursing in 1998. Approximately €55 million is spent annually on nurses education and around 1,570 nurses enter the undergraduate programme each year.