To ask the Minister of Health (i) when the current rate for student nurse bursaries was set; (ii) why the rate has not increased since; and (iii) what other supports are available for student nurses at university with childcare commitments.

the non-means tested element of the nursing and midwifery bursary, paid to eligible students on pre-registration nursing and midwifery programmes commissioned by my Department, was last updated in the 2012/13 academic year. In September 2022, I announced an increase of 15% in some of the means-tested elements of bursary support – dependant’s allowance and parental living allowance - commencing from the 2022/23 academic year.

the high overall volumes of applications to these programmes received by the local universities indicates that the current level of bursary support remains effective in attracting sufficient students. This is despite the level of pre-registration nursing and midwifery training commissioned by my Department having been increased to record levels over recent years.

Students at Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University are also able to access university hardship funds should they meet the necessary criteria. Additional funding for these hardship funds has recently been announced by DfE.