HL Deb 24 May 2000 vol 613 c102WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What urgent steps they propose to take to fill the shortage of qualified nurses in Northern Ireland. [HL2306]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety is currently reviewing the number of places it commissions on the three year Diploma Course at Queen's University Belfast.

Up-to-date information from both the public and private sectors on recruitment and retention difficulties and the level of unfilled vacancies for qualified staff is presently being assessed with a view to increasing the planned number of student places.