129 Mr. Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of nurses employed by the Department of Health and Children in each of the health board areas in September 1980, September 1990 and September 2000; the number of full-time nurses in each of the health board areas in September 1980, September 1990 and September 2000; the number of part-time nurses in each of the health board areas in September 1980, September 1990 and September 2000; and the number of temporary nurses in each of the health board areas in September 1980, September 1990 and September 2000. [27167/01]

The first year from which the information requested by the Deputy is available on a comparable basis is 1990. The available information as requested by the Deputy is as set out below.

The Deputy may wish to note that the increase in nursing personnel of 8,409 wholetime equivalents over the period 1990 to 2000 represents an increase of +40.5% on a comparable basis.