asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that very serious overcrowding exists in the male and female departments and in the nurses' quarters of the Limerick District Mental Hospital, and that a scheme for further extensions to relieve this congestion is with his Department for a considerable length of time; and, if so, if he will state if it is his intention to sanction the scheme, and make available financial assistance to carry out this necessary work.

Building extensions which are nearing completion will provide additional accommodation for patients in this hospital. A grant of £97,000 was allocated towards the cost of these works. In view of the amount of grants already made towards the improvement of the hospital and the extent of the commitments for payment out of the Hospitals Trust Fund, the Hospitals Commission did not recommend any grant towards the further extension contemplated at the hospital, and it is not proposed to sanction the carrying out of further works at present.