Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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604. To ask the Minister for Health if he is aware of the fact that of the 4,184 registration applications received by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland between 2015 and May 2016, only 1,632 were successfully added to the register; if a review of the registration process is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21224/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I have been advised by the NMBI that the figures referred to in your question are correct. However, it is important that these figures are understood in the context of the explanation provided below in relation to the open cases.

There were 1,947 registration applications categorised as open cases (documentation awaited from the applicant) on 31 May 2016. Many of the applications received are incomplete, whereby required documents remain outstanding and, therefore, the matter cannot be progressed to review/assessment stage until these are received. In addition, many applicants do not fully complete their application form, therefore, leading to further delays in progressing an application through the system.

At the end of 2015, the timeframe for assessment of applications once all required documentation had been submitted was 90 days. As of 31st May 2016, this had been reduced to 45 days.

Summary details regarding number of nurse/midwife registrations is provided below:

I wish to advise the Deputy that the Board had taken a decision to close files in respect of applicants who did not submit the required documentation within one year of the initial application – this period was reduced to a six month timeframe for applications submitted on or after 1 March 2016.

The NMBI fully recognises the challenges being experienced by health service employers in the public and the private sector and it is meeting and liaising with employers to address the registration issues. The NMBI is also liaising with a large number of recruitment agencies on a daily and weekly basis to support the recruitment and registration process. Senior NMBI staff are also reviewing options for further improving the efficiency of the existing process, whilst still maintaining the standards of education and professional competence required to enable registration. A new streamlined application form and information booklet was also launched earlier this year. Various measures, including enhanced website functionality, additional staff appointments and ongoing process improvement work by NMBI staff are assisting in the management of the increasing volumes of applications received by NMBI. The NMBI must facilitate new nurses and midwives entering the Irish health system as quickly as possible without compromising standards.