An Bord Altranais (the Board) was established by the Nurses Act, 1950 to take over the functions of two bodies, the Central Midwives Board and the General Nursing Council, which had been established in 1918 and 1919, respectively.
The Board was re-constituted and its functions were re-defined and expanded by the Nurses Act, 1985. The Board continues to operate under the provisions of this Act.
The Board consists of twenty-nine members, seventeen of whom are nurses and midwives elected by the nursing profession. The remainder are appointed by the Minister for Health and Children.