asked the Minister for Health when it is proposed to proceed with the erection of a new clinic at Tuam, County Galway; whether any plans have been submitted to his Department; and what progress has been made to date.

I informed the Deputy last February, in reply to a similar Question, that the Galway County Council had deferred further action in regard to the provision of a clinic at Tuam, by means of a new building, pending consideration of an alternative. The local authority have not yet submitted alternative proposals but I understand that they may be in a position to do so shortly.

Is the Minister aware that the county manager has decided that the maternity wing in the Children's Home in Tuam is the place where he proposes to have this new clinic erected? That is situated more than a mile from the town of Tuam and very much more than that from the populated area in which the lower income group—the poor, the needy and the sick—of Tuam reside. There are plenty of good sites available in the town of Tuam without driving those unfortunate people a mile further out than they need go.

My difficulty is I do not know what intentions the manager may have but he has not yet submitted any proposals. If he does, the point which the Deputy has made is a consideration which I shall certainly take into account when coming to a decision.