To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken to improve the work-life balance of senior house officers seeking training posts. (130685)

The Department's Improving Junior Doctors’ Working Lives Implementation Support Group (ISO) continues to work to ensure compliance with the European working time directive and new deal. The Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency (NIMDTA) also fully supports less than full-time training.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the number of junior doctors in the Province who will be unable to obtain training posts in August 2007. (130697)

The Department of Health has instigated a review of recruitment and selection for specialist training. Until the findings of this review have been implemented, the number of junior doctors unable to obtain training posts in the province cannot be determined.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken to assist experienced senior house officers in the Province in obtaining specialist training. (130698)

The Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency (NIMDTA) organised four workshops for experienced SHO’s to advise them on the new recruitment process.