Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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771. To ask the Minister for Health his proposals for dealing with delays in nursing registration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10066/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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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.

However, I would like to advise the Deputy of a number of measures taken by the NMBI and to put the registration delays in context.

A significant volume of applications has been received by the NMBI, particularly during 2015 and to date in 2016. Many of the applications received are incomplete whereby documents remain outstanding and therefore the matter cannot be progressed to review/assessment stage until these are received. In addition, many applicants do not complete their application form fully therefore leading to delays in progressing an application through the system.

The NMBI have arrangements in place for applicants to follow up on the progress of their application. In October 2015 a dedicated call centre was established to assist overseas applicants. This call centre is open Monday through to Friday, 9.00am to 5.30pm and provides regular updates to overseas applicants on the current status of their application. In addition the NMBI has launched a new website which provides additional services for overseas applicants, including a facility to “Track their Application” on line.

The NMBI is also working with its stakeholders, including the HSE, to provide options for nurses who are required to obtain additional competencies in order to meet the requirements for registration. Such options include adaptation courses and an aptitude tests.