asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that sanction of the proposal for the reorganisation of home assistance officers in County Laois has been awaited for some considerable time; and if he will now sanction the proposal.

The proposal for the reorganisation of the assistance areas in County Laois, which was received in my Department on the 12th January last and consideration of which required a local investigation by a General Inspector of the Department of Local Government, has already been approved.