Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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572. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the fine of €250 that nurses had to pay at the end of May 2015 if they had not paid their annual registration fee; when it was communicated to nurses that the €250 plus €100 registration fee had to be paid by the end of May; if alternative arrangements can be put in place and if this fine of €250 can be scrapped; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23203/15]

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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573. To ask the Minister for Health the number of nurses who are working in the health service who were not registered by the end of May because of the deadline in respect of the fee; the action he is taking to ensure that all nurses who are working in the health service are registered and allowed time to pay the registration fee during the year, on a stage-by-stage basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23204/15]

Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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653. To ask the Minister for Health the number of nurses and midwives who have been removed from the register of nurses and midwives by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland for non-payment of the annual retention fee for each of the years 2011 to 2014 and for 2015 to date; the total amount of money collected in restoration fees during each of those years from nurses and midwives who have to restore their names on the register in order to practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23857/15]

Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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655. To ask the Minister for Health the procedure applied by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland for removing the name of a nurse or midwife from the register of nurses and midwives; the details of correspondence sent by the board to nurses or midwifes advising them that a board meeting is to take place to decide on the removal of the name from the register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23859/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 572, 573, 653 and 655 together.

I wish to thank the Deputies for the matter raised.

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) is the independent, statutory organisation which regulates the nursing and midwifery professions in Ireland. In this regard, I would like to advise you that the setting of fees to be paid by nurses and midwives is a matter for the NMBI. Therefore, this is an operational matter and it is appropriate that it should be dealt with by the NMBI. I have referred the Deputies' questions to the NMBI for attention and direct reply.

If you have not received a reply from the NMBI within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.