117 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health and Children the level of professional qualified nurses that our services require; the level of current services; the qualification required to enter nursing; the qualification required to enter nursing in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1661/99]

124 Mr. Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of vacant nursing posts in each health board area; his views on the underlying reasons for nurse shortages; and the proposals, if any, he has to deal with the matter. [1965/99]

130 Mr. Browne (Wexford) asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the scarcity of nursing staff available to hospitals; the discussions, if any, he has had to date with An Bord Altranais in order to encourage young people into nursing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26337/98]

575 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health and Children the staffing levels of nurses at public hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1665/99]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 117, 124, 130 and 575 together.

The number of nurses employed in the public health service has increased steadily in recent years. Between 1990 and 31 December 1997, the whole-time equivalent number of nursing staff employed in the public health service increased from 24,732 to 27,426 – an increase of 2,694 or 11 per cent.

In addition, there has been a major expansion in the number of practice nurses attached to GP surgeries around the country. There are currently some 455 such nurses working in this area.

A factor which must be taken into account is the increasing trend among health service employers to facilitate nurses and midwives who, for personal reasons, do not wish to commit themselves to full-time work. There are currently some 4,000 nurses working in formal job-sharing arrangements, in addition to the significant number who work part-time.

While the recruitment of nurses is primarily a matter for individual employers, the overall issue of the availability of nurses is being kept under review by the Health Service Employers' Agency (HSEA). In response to current difficulties, the HSEA established a task force to examine the full nature of the difficulties in recruiting nursing staff and to make recommendations on appropriate action.

A HSEA survey of Dublin hospitals showed 448 vacant nursing posts on 15 January 1999. However, a survey of the same hospitals carried out one week later by my Department revealed a significant reduction in the number of vacant posts – down to 384 on 22 January 1999. This downward trend is consistent with the increase in the number of nurses applying to An Bord Altranais for registration.

The returns from the Dublin hospitals indicate that there is a particular difficulty in recruiting nurses for specialist areas such as theatre, intensive care, coronary care, accident and emergency and paediatrics.

Health board and voluntary hospitals outside of the Dublin area reported only a single nursing vacancy on the 22 January 1999; however, this is being clarified with them. They have indicated that while they have no difficulty in filling permanent nursing posts, occasional problems arise in recruiting temporary or locum staff to cover sick leave, annual leave and maternity leave.