NUI Galway’s nursing course is set to have one of the biggest loss next year following the revelation that the number of places in nursing degree programmes will be cut by 16 per cent nationwide.
The number of places across Ireland is set to drop to 1,570 in 2009, a loss of more than 300 places, according to this Saturday’s Irish Examiner. A spokesperson for the HSE confirmed the figures as accurate.
NUI Galway, which has one of the country’s largest and most successful nursing programmes, is set to lose 40 places in the cuts, giving them 28 per cent fewer students in these courses for 2009. They were second in losses, with only University College Cork set to lose more at 50 places.
University of Limerick and the Centre of Nursing and Midwifery Education Sligo were also set to have major loses with 25 places and 20 places, respectively.
It was also announced that a funding initiative which allows nurses and midwives trained under the apprenticeship and diploma models, and undertaking the Access and BNS/BMS part-time degree, to have their course fees paid, will also be discontinued by the HSE from January 1, 2009.
Speaking to the Irish Examiner at the weekend the general secretary of the Irish Nurses’ Organisation, Liam Doran, said that the cuts were going to result in the health sector becoming even more reliant on overseas nurses.
“We are heavily reliant on overseas nurses as it is and we need to be self-sufficient. These reductions are short-sighted and while they might save pennies in the short term they will cost pounds in the long term,” he told the paper.
