asked the Minister for Health if he has received from Kerry County Council alternative proposals with regard to the future of St. Joseph's Hospital, Listowel, since his reply of 25th May; and, if so, the nature of these proposals; and which of them he proposes to sanction.

Kerry County Council has put forward a proposal that St. Joseph's Hospital, Listowel, should be used as a geriatric unit which would relieve overcrowding in the Mental Hospital, Killarney and the County Home, Killarney.

The proposal was received in my Department on 8th instant and is under examination.

May I ask that the proposal be examined and disposed of as quickly as possible as there is a permanent staff at present unemployed in a particular hospital awaiting a decision from the Minister?

I shall pass that on to the Minister.