asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state why the applications from Mary Copley (N.5957), Mill Road, Corbally, Limerick; Winifred Connolly (N.5090), 4 Keating's Lane, off Parnell Street, Limerick, and Patrick Hogan (N.4941), Singland, Limerick, for blind pensions which are in his Department, on appeal, for many months have not been dealt with.

I regret there has been some unavoidable delay owing to the occurrence of a vacancy in the medical inspection staff which will be filled as soon as possible.