Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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678. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the shortage of nurses here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1574/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I am aware that some nursing homes are experiencing difficulties in recruiting nurses reflecting to a degree the fact that opportunities within the Acute sector have improved. Historically a large number of Irish graduate nurses have found posts in acute hospitals in Ireland or abroad more attractive and the sector has relied on attracting nurses from abroad to fill these posts.

The six weeks adaptation course (for overseas nurses) referred to is not a matter for the Department but a matter for the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). The central tenet of the NMBI is the protection of the public and as such the NMBI must be fully satisfied that each application for registration is fully reviewed and decisions reached are in full compliance with the requirements and standards for registration. Individuals who have queries regarding the application process or outcome of an individual assessment should contact the NMBI directly.

The Health Information and Quality Authority is the independent authority established under the Health Act 2007 to drive continuous improvement and to monitor safety and quality in Ireland’s health and personal social care services. Since 2009 all nursing homes - public, voluntary and private have been registered and inspected by HIQA. The Health Act (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for older people) Regulations, 2013 contain provisions for the purpose of ensuring proper standards of care in nursing homes and include a requirement that the number and skill mix of staff is appropriate having regard to the assessed needs of the residents, and the size and layout of the centre in question. There is also a requirement that the staff of a designated centre includes, at all times, at least one registered nurse.

With regard to pressures in the health system, the budget for the Nursing Home Support Scheme in 2015 is €948.8m. This includes an increase of €10m allocated to the initiative related to delayed discharges. This increase will allow for the provision of an additional 300 long stay care places under the NHSS. In 2015 the HSE's National Service Plan's projected target of people in receipt of financial support for long term residential care is 22,361. In light of the recent pressures in Emergency Departments the HSE is accessing all suitable non-acute accommodation to the maximum extent possible to allow those who have been clinically discharged to leave acute hospitals.