asked the Minister for Health if he will state when sanction will be given to plans for the erection of district hospitals at Clones and Carrickmacross.

Plans for the conversion of Carrickmacross Fever Hospital to a district hospital were received in my Department on 19th June, 1952. With regard to Clones, the local authority's latest proposal is that the fever hospital should be converted for the accommodation of orthopædic patients. Both these matters are at present under examination, and my views will be conveyed to the local authority as early as possible.