I propose to take Questions Nos. 215 and 216 together.
Funding available for continuing post registration education of nurses is allocated to the relevant health agencies. In 1999 some £8.5 million will be spent on continuing nurse education. It is a matter for the agencies themselves to decide on the most effective use of these funds, having due regard to the educational needs of the nursing staff and the nature of the services in which they are involved. I do not have a separate fund at my disposal from which financial assistance could be given to supplement any sponsorship nurses might be in receipt of from the health agencies.
A survey was conducted last year by my Department on the issue of sponsorship. All health boards, except for the Midland, sponsor students. The amount of sponsorship varies from health board to health board. My Department does not have any figures on the amount of nurses who have qualified. The following table sets out the total number of nurses who have received public health nurse sponsorship since 1995/96: