asked the Minister for Health the total number of geriatric beds at the latest available date in each of the health board regions; whether there is a waiting list for geriatric beds in any of these regions; and whether he is satisfied that a sufficient number of geriatric beds is available throughout the country at present.

The information concerning geriatric beds requested by the Deputy is in the form of a tabular statement which, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I will have circulated with the Official Report.

Following is the statement:

I am satisfied that the position is reasonably satisfactory at present and that it will be considerably improved when extra accommodation in course of development becomes available.