asked the Minister for Health if she will take the initiative in rationalising the interview system for trainee nurses in health board training hospitals in order to ensure that all applicants who have the necessary academic qualifications are called for interview and assessed in their own region and that only those considered to have an aptitude for nursing will be required to travel to other regions for further interviews.

The report of the Working Party on General Nursing which was published in October 1980 contains recommendations concerning the recruitment and selection of students for nurse training. Apart from making recommendations concerning the recruitment process the report also recommends the establishment of a central applications bureau under the auspices of An Bord Altranais which would be responsible for the processing of all applications for nurse training. The training schools would be represented on the bureau and the interviewing arrangements would result in students being interviewed at regional level to determine their suitability for nurse training thereby eliminating the need for students to be interviewed separately by each nurse training school processing its own applications.

My Department have invited all interested bodies and staff organisations to let us have their views on these recommendations and when these views have been considered proposals will be put forward to deal with the existing unsatisfactory situation.

I was not aware of the recommendations which were referred to by the Minister in her reply. Does the Minister agree in principle with the idea that there should be a central applications bureau and that the present situation where applicants might have to go to nine or ten different centres is most unsatisfactory when some of those people might not be suitable for nursing?

I agree with the Deputy that this is unsatisfactory and presents considerable hardship for the people concerned.

How soon does the Minister hope to give a decision?

There are some views still outstanding. As I already said we have invited all interested parties to let us have their views and recommendations. some are outstanding, including those of An Bord Altranais. I will endeavour to have the views and recommendations as soon as possible.