asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the totally unsatisfactory position that applies in all health board areas regarding the interview and selection of applicants for general and psychiatric student nurse positions; and if he any plans to improve the situation.

I am aware of certain difficulties arising from the present system of selection and interview of general and psychiatric nursing trainees. 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 proccessing 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.

Does the Minister agree that it is a little bit ridiculous to have to call over 2,000 applicants to fill 100 places or thereabouts? When does the Minister expect to finalise the proposals outlined in his answer?

These are matters which require the co-operation of different interests involved so it is not possible to give a specific answer. I hope discussions can be concluded reasonably soon.

Would the Minister consider launching some sort of campaign in second-level schools in order to give would-be student nurses an indication of the qualifications and qualities necessary in order to be eligible for nursing?

I will have that matter investigated.

Is the Minister aware that I tabled a similar question to the former Minister six months ago and got a similar answer? How soon does the Minister expect to get representations from the bodies to which he has sent the recommendations?

I do not have that information but I will pursue the matter so that the recommendations will be in as soon as possible. As the Deputy is aware, it is a major area and will represent a substantial change. That is the reason why the consideration has been so lengthy.

It is very important that such a bureau would be set up as soon as possible. How soon after the representations come to the Department will the Minister issue his findings? The present situation is that interviews are held in six or seven centres throughout the country.

It is in our interest to have it done as soon as possible. There will not be any undue delay.