THE number of places available for students to study nursing in Ireland should be increased, according to Councillor Gabriel Keating. At a recent meeting of Clare County Council, he said, “An increase in points is being driven by the shortage of undergraduate places in our universities and institutes of technology. “The number of placements in general nursing programmes reduced from 1,870 places in 2009 to 1,500 places in 2015, due to the HSE decision that year to reduce the number of places as a cost-saving measure, given that as part of their education trainee nurses receive a payment when there are on placement in hospitals.” He said that nursing courses are becoming increasingly difficult to access. “For example, midwifery and nursing courses in UCC were both 445 points, while general nursing at UCD, IT Tralee and Trinity were all 425 points. “It is clear at this stage that the only way forward is to allow the 13 nursing schools to …
Read More »Clare footballers face club challenges
THE Clare senior footballers have a number of challenge games lined up in the coming weeks, as they prepare for their first Division 3 National League outing at home to Wexford on February 1. They were due to play Tralee IT on Tuesday night but that game was postponed. Clare are due to play Galway and Connacht club champions, Corofin, as well as Kerry and Munster club champions, Austin Stacks over the next few weeks. Other games in the pipeline include UL, Dublin and Leinster champions St Vincent’s. All three club teams are preparing for All-Ireland club semi-finals in mid-February. For the second successive year, Clare have opted not to play in the McGrath Cup. On the injury front, Enda Coughlan is still recuperating following a cruciate knee injury, while Shane McGrath’s knee is also receiving treatment. Clare’s opening league game against Wexford is due to be played in Cusack Park, although the pitch is currently undergoing drainage work. Clare …
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