John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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31. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department will take action to expedite the processing of nurse registration applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36565/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I am pleased to report that progress has been made in relation to the registration delays in the NMBI. To 13 October 2015, 1,495 applicants have been registered this year, the highest in many years, of which 758 were Irish-trained applicants. The number of applications received to 13 October this year is up 139% on the same period in 2014. I would like to advise the Deputy that, to 13 October, the number of people registered in 2015 was 1,495 and when this is compared to the same period in 2014, the number of people registered is 967 - this represents an increase of 55%.

The latest figures from the NMBI indicate that they have 1,980 open applications, of which:

- 1,348 have documentation outstanding (61%);

- 81 have been approved and a fee is awaited by the NMBI; and

- 168 further cases are waiting review.

The Department has approved the filling of 16 posts and temporary measures have been put in place to ensure all applications received are dealt with in a timely manner. NMBI informed the Department on the 24 September that there are currently no backlogs in processing the post.

Seven adaptation programmes have been held for the nursing home sector since 2014 in order to allow overseas nurses to register in Ireland. One adaption programme has commenced and a further programme is scheduled later in the year. I understand that five adaption programmes will be held in 2016. At 23 September 2015, some 405 places have been made available so far on these courses.

The NMBI has approved on a pilot basis, a new aptitude test with RCSI as an alternative method to assess candidates for registration. Nurses are currently being advised of the availability of this test and all who have a letter for adaptation are being contacted to advise them of this development. This test will be provided in November 2015 when a minimum cohort of 25 nurses is secured. Successful candidates will be recommended for registration to NMBI by RCSI.

On 8 October 2015, a new overseas call centre service was launched by NMBI in response to the significant increase in applications for registration from overseas nurses and midwives. NHI and other key stakeholders were informed of the new overseas call centre service on 7 October. The website has been updated to inform the wider audience. On 16 October 2015, 684 calls were received by this call centre.