asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that (a) 13 young people who were being recruited into the Sligo General Hospital nursing school this month were suddenly told that the North Western Health Board was not in a position to take them in; (b) several of these young people had given up jobs or given notice to their employers or given up other career opportunities; (c) that they have now no knowledge of what their prospects are of being called to training in the Sligo General Hospital nursing school; if, in view of the circumstances and the hardships incurred by the 13 young people, he will sanction their recruitment immediately and make provisions for the North Western Health Board to carry out training; if he is not in a position to do this, and if he will state when recruitment will recommence for trainee nurses in Sligo and give an undertaking that on resumption the 13 young people will be given absolute priority in recruitment if they are still interested; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Sligo General Hospital Nursing School.
119.
I understand that the North Western Health Board has reconsidered its earlier decision in this matter and has contacted the young people concerned to invite them to commence nurse training in Sligo General Hospital next month.