Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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171. To ask the Minister for Health if he is aware of the crisis in the registration of nurses who have been identified as candidates to fill nursing posts, given that as of 4 September 2015, 2,313 applications were outstanding, according to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, and given that in a statement issued on 16 September 2015, the Department stated that 70% of outstanding applications had submitted incomplete documentation and that 30% of applications that were complete, which equates to 694 applications, are still outstanding. [33711/15]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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172. To ask the Minister for Health if he is aware of the requirement for nurse candidates seeking registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, to submit €350 with their application, to signal their serious intent to fulfil nursing posts in the Irish health service; his views that it is extremely disappointing that applications are subject to huge delays, and candidates are met with silence when they seek information as to the status of their application. [33712/15]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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173. To ask the Minister for Health the measures being taken by his Department to ensure the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland addresses the crisis in processing applications for nurse registrations; when he expects measures to take effect so that prospective candidates receive an appropriate level of service. [33713/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 to 173, inclusive, together.

I wish to thank the Deputy for the matter raised.

Given that this is an operational matter, it is appropriate that it should be dealt with by the NMBI. I have referred the Deputy's question 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.