AQW 22107/22-27

Mr Andrew McMurray
Alliance Party
South Down

Tabled Date: 06/02/2025
Answered On Date: 21/02/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health for his assessment of whether the non-means tested element of the nursing and midwifery bursary of £430.42 per month is adequate for student nurses who work approximately 36.5 hours per week during placement.

Answer:

For several years now, the ongoing financial pressures facing my Department have made any increase in the general, non means-tested element of the bursary support for nursing and midwifery students, unaffordable.

I am, however, aware of the increasing challenges of the current system. I am therefore exploring with my officials possible future changes to the financial support provided to students on pre-registration healthcare programmes commissioned by my Department, including in the nursing and midwifery fields.