Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The question raised by the Deputy relates to registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) which maintains a register of nurses eligible to practise in Ireland. Prior to registration, persons must have their qualifications assessed to determine if they meet the reference standards for Nursing in Ireland, described in the Requirements and Standards for Nurse Registration Education Programmes (NMBI, 2005): www.nmbi.ie/nmbi/media/NMBI/Requirements-and-Standards-for-Nurse-Registration-Education-Programmes-3rd-Ed.pdf?ext=.pdf).

The NMBI has advised that the applicant in question applied for registration in the General Nurse Division of its Register in February 2016. She submitted certain documents herself and other documents had to be sent directly from her training institution & registration authority; the latter were not received until late June 2016. Her file was then assessed and further information on her professional training was requested and immediately provided by her. I understand from the NMBI that, due to an administrative oversight, the further assessment of the application was not undertaken. I am advised that the Director of Registration has contacted the applicant to apologise for the administrative oversight. A decision will be issued to the applicant this week.

The NMBI have confirmed that process improvements have been introduced in the Registration Department to ensure that this type of administrative error does not occur again.