Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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604. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in the provision of a nursing pin for a person (details supplied) from the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11861/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I have received a report from the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) on this issue.

I understand that the applicant applied for registration in the General Nurse Division of the Register on 19th September, 2016. As part of the application process the applicant was required to furnish certain documentation with her completed application form. The application was reviewed in the Registration Department of the NMBI on 26^thSeptember 2016. Following this review an email was sent to the applicant on 27^thSeptember 2016, however no response was received. A further email was sent on 27^thJanuary 2017. A response was received and the application was reviewed on 27^thFebruary 2017. I understand that a decision will issue to the applicant in the coming days.

Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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605. To ask the Minister for Health the average waiting time for the provision of nursing pins to new nurses from the Nursing and Midwifery Board; his views on whether the current waiting times for the provision of nursing pins are an issue for young nurses taking up employment here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11862/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I have received a report from the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) on this issue.

An overseas application for registration with the NMBI is active for a six month period on receipt of a request for an application pack. An applicant has this specified period of time in which to ensure all required documents are received by the NMBI in order to consider their application. I understand from the NMBI that it is difficult to determine an exact processing timeframe for overseas applications as it will vary depending on how quickly required documents are received from the applicant. The NMBI has indicated that upon receipt of all the required documents the following timelines apply:

15 working day period for the NMBI Registration Department to review/assess an EU/Non-EU File

If the application requires an educational assessment the file will be assessed within a 10 working day timeframe.

The decisions reached may be to recommend registration, to undergo an adaptation/aptitude test, to refuse the application or to seek further information from the applicant.

I have been advised by the NMBI that a review has taken place of the current processes relating to overseas applications. Recommendations from the process review involve full revision of the current application form. In addition, a dedicated EU registration team has been established to focus on improving all aspects of the registration process.

It is important to note, however, that many applications received in NMBI are incomplete and a decision on the application cannot be reached until all required documentation is received.

It may be of interest to the Deputy to note that during 2016 a total of 3,788 individuals were registered with the NMBI. During 2016 the NMBI issued a total of 4,323 application packs to individuals who trained outside Ireland compared to 2,534 application packs issued during 2015. Any undue delays in registration of nurses are obviously of concern to both the NMBI and myself as Minister for Health. The NMBI is very much aware of the importance of providing an efficient, high quality registration service. The Board will continue to make improvements in this regard, however this will in part depend on the applicants providing all the required documentation.