Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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758. To ask the Minister for Health if he has given consideration to re-registering nursing staff that have allowed their registration to expire in view of the Covid-19 outbreak; and if the registration fee will be removed for the duration of the outbreak. [5089/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020 was signed into law by the President on 27 March. Section 108 of the Act provides that a previous registrant may make an application to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) to be registered on the register of nurses and midwives. These applications and any registration arising are free of charge to the applicant.

This provision has removed the financial barrier which faced those nurses and midwives who wished to be restored to the register so that they could return to their profession and assist with addressing Covid-19. To date, the NMBI has restored 983 nurses and midwives to the register free of charge to the applicant.

In accordance with the provisions of the Act, section 108 registrations will cease to have effect after 31 July next. However, the Act does give me the authority, as the Minister, to specify a different expiry date and I will be keeping this under review, along with all other matters related to the evolving situation regarding Covid-19, during the coming weeks.