Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has announced the introduction of a childcare allowance for student nurses from Fermanagh.

Nursing and midwifery students with dependent children will now be entitled to childcare costs up to £1,185 per year. This has been recommended as part of an ongoing Review of Student Support.

The Minister said: "Until now student nurses and midwives studying in Northern Ireland were not eligible for any financial assistance with childcare costs.

"One of my priorities on taking up office was the introduction of a childcare payment for student nurses. This welcome additional support will lessen the financial burden on student nurses and midwives," he explained.

"My department needs to provide an adequate supply of well-trained nurses who will be equipped to join the Health and Social Care (HSC) workforce and be at the forefront in the delivery of high quality patient care. The offer of family-friendly policies to students reflects the type of support they will receive if they work for HSC employers."

A further change to take effect as a result of the Review of Student Support is the removal of the Single Parent Allowance, which will be replaced by a Parental Learners Allowance. Its introduction will lead to an increase in the number of students able to access the allowance.