To ask the Minister of Health (i) whether there are any actions he can take to accelerate Foundation Programme Allocations for 2025; and (ii) what actions will he take for future years.

I have assumed that your question relates to the Medical Foundation Training Programme. My officials work closely with colleagues in the Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency, who manage this programme on my Department’s behalf, to ensure that Medical Foundation training posts are allocated as quickly as possible to applicants, as soon as posts are made available. Medical Foundation training posts are allocated on a UK-wide basis via a national 4 nation recruitment and allocation process, and NIMDTA work closely with other UK jurisdictions in relation to allocations to the Northern Ireland programme.

My officials and NIMDTA will continue to work closely with UK counterparts to ensure Foundation Training Programme places for future years are allocated as quickly as possible.