Since 1997, an additional 439 consultants, representing an increase of 34%, have been appointed. In the past three years, an average of 103 doctors per annum have taken up duty in Ireland as permanent consultants for the first time. This compares with an average of 40 in the mid-1980s and 50 in the early 1990s. The number of nurses and midwives employed has increased by 6,800 since 1998. I can provide a range of other figures on the record number of training places available for nursing. In addition, an historic breakthrough was made when we introduced the degree programme for nursing. The latter will be underpinned by funding of €250 million in the coming years.