To ask the Minister of Health, pursuant to AQW 21283/22-27, and in relation to the ongoing review of support for Department-funded students on Allied Health Professional courses, to detail any plans he has to increase bursaries for nursing students.

The ongoing financial pressures facing my Department render unaffordable any increase in the bursary support for nursing and midwifery students.

I am currently exploring with my officials possible future changes to the financial support provided to students on the pre-registration healthcare programmes commissioned by my Department, including in the nursing and midwifery fields.