andJ. Lynch asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware that a large number of patients are waiting for admission to the Cork orthopaedic hospital, and when it will be open for the reception of patients.

I am fully aware of the position and I understand that the local authority propose to have the orthopaedic hospital in Cork open for the reception of patients on July the 12th.

andJ. Lynch asked the Minister for Health whether all the appointments to the staff of the Cork orthopaedic hospital have yet been made, and if he is aware that many persons who have already been appointed, such as nurses and female attendants, have returned from England and are at present without any means of income.

The appointment of nurses and subordinate staff to the Gurranebraher hospital is entirely a matter for the local authority. I understand, however, that sufficient staff have been selected to enable the hospital to open shortly.

I understand that nurses and subordinate staff have been notified by the local authority to take up duty as from the 4th July next.

I am not aware that any nurses and female attendants have returned from England and are at present without any means of income. It will be appreciated that the matter of clarifying the date from which employment commences is a matter which rests between the local authority and persons selected for appointment.

Is it not a good thing to admit that in Cork, at any rate, we are bringing back some of our exiles under this Government?

Is the Minister not aware that some nurses who had applied from England were given an approximate date in April, I think it was, which did not subsequently work out and, having given notice in their former employment, they then had to come home and have since, in many instances, been unemployed? They were only given an approximate date but they acted on it and came home in April. They have since been unemployed.

I am not so aware.

That is the position.