Budget issues mean additional student nursing places in NI will be lost

Budget concerns mean 300 extra student nursing places in Northern Ireland won't be available this year.

It had been scheduled that the additional spots would be on offer as part of the government's 'New Decade, New Approach' deal.

That will now not happen.

In a statement to Cool FM/Downtown Radio, the Department of Health said: "The difficult budgetary situation means that very difficult choices are unavoidable

"The Department recognises the importance of investment in staffing. In relation to nursing numbers, the Department has committed to 1,025 new nursing places – the level that was in place before the New Decade New Approach deal.

"As a result of New Decade New Approach, it had been possible to offer an additional 300 places for the past three years but the 2023/24 budget means that is not possible this year.

"The Department will look to expand places in future if the funding permits."