asked the Minister for Health whether it is proposed to reconvert Saint Patrick's Chest Hospital, Castlerea, into a mental hospital and, if so, if he will make arrangements to prevent those persons, who are at present employed in the institution, from being rendered unemployed.

As stated in my reply of 10th February, 1955, to a question raised by Deputy McQuillan in regard to the sanatorium in Castlerea, no decision to close the Castlerea institution has been taken and the question of its future use is still under consideration. In regard to the question of staff employment, this matter will naturally arise and be considered by the local authorities concerned when a decision has actually been taken in regard to the future use of the institution. It should be remembered, however, that some of the staff of the hospital were employed by the Roscommon County Council, subject to the condition that they may be transferred to the western regional sanatorium at Merlin Park, Galway, while other members of the staff are officers of the Ballinasloe Mental Hospital Authority. The Deputy may be assured that full consideration will be given to any problems in regard to staff that may arise from the transfer of patients from Castlerea.