514. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the difficulties faced by nursing and midwifery applicants who trained in the North of Ireland when registering with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland; her views on whether it is acceptable that barriers are in place for nurses who wish to practise in Ireland at a time of staffing shortages; the plans to streamline the process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54422/26]

Responsibility for the registration of nurses and midwives in Ireland rests with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).  The NMBI is an independent regulatory body established under the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011.

As the query raised by the Deputy is a matter for the NMBI, I have referred the question to the NMBI for its attention and direct response to the Deputy.