Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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413. To ask the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to introducing a postgraduate programme that would allow nurses from other fields to study and train to become general nurses helping to alleviate staffing issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41732/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The review of the Undergraduate Nursing and Midwifery Degree Programme undertaken by the Department of Health in 2012 recommended “Graduate entry programmes for those who have already attained degree level education in a relevant area” (Recommendation 3.3.3). The revised Standards and Requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI 2015) provide for shortened courses for graduate entry nurses with the proviso that relevant EU Directive and NMBI requirements for registration are met. I understand that currently no higher education institution has developed such a programme for approval by the NMBI.