Witness expenses
The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) will pay reasonable out-of-pocket expenses to witness who attend an inquiry. These expenses may include:
- Travel expenses such as public transport costs (economy class fares)
- Accommodation expenses
- Refreshments and meals
Reimbursement of any other costs or expenses incurred must be approved by NMBI before you attend the inquiry. Such costs may include employment of a locum or a childminder. Proof of costs and/or relevant documentation must be submitted with your expenses claim form.
Once you have attended the inquiry and given your evidence, you should:
- Read and complete the Witness Expenses Form, which can be downloaded from this page
- Attach all receipts to your completed form
- Return the completed form and receipts to the Fitness to Practise Department at NMBI by post.
You will receive a written acknowledgement of your expenses claim form and receipts from the Fitness to Practise Department. Your form will be reviewed, approved and then sent to our Accounts Department for processing. Any payments will be made directly into your bank account.
Costs not reimbursed by NMBI
Only those witnesses called to appear for NMBI will be reimbursed or have their expenses paid. NMBI will not pay your solicitor’s fees or cover expenses incurred by anyone accompanying you to the inquiry.
Travel options and expenses
Public transport is the preferred mode of travel. You are responsible for booking your own tickets and you must present receipts stating the starting and finishing point of the journey, date(s), times and fare.
NMBI will pay economy class train fares. You can find up-to-date timetables and details of train fares on the Iarnród Éireann / Irish Rail website. You can find up-to-date timetables and details of bus routes and fares on the Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus websites.
If public transport routes and times are not convenient for your journeys to and from the inquiry venue, you may use private transport.
If travelling by coach, you are responsible for booking your own tickets. You must present receipts stating the starting and finishing points of the journey, date(s), times and fare.
If travelling by taxi, you must ask the driver for a printed receipt from the taximeter, stating the starting and finishing points of the journey, date(s), times and fare.
If you travel by private car, you should note that there is no parking for witnesses at the NMBI offices. There are several parking facilities in and around Blackrock village, including on-street pay-and-display parking. NMBI will pay mileage at current public sector rates. Parking costs and road tolls will be reimbursed on presentation of receipts stating date(s), times and costs.
Meals and accommodation
NMBI will provide sandwiches at lunchtime and other refreshments are provided throughout the day(s) of the inquiry. You must provide itemised receipts for any other meals – credit card receipts are not itemised receipts.
NMBI will reimburse you for any overnight accommodation costs where necessary. You are responsible for booking your own accommodation and must present itemised receipts from the accommodation provider – credit card receipts are not itemised receipts.
Further information
You can find out more about what is involved in attending a fitness to practise inquiry on these pages: