asked the Minister for Health the total number of (i) medically qualified and (ii) otherwise professionally qualified personnel in his Department at the latest available date; and how this figure compares with the figure five years ago.

The number of medically qualified personnel serving in my Department at present is 14; two medical posts are vacant. The number of other professionally qualified personnel serving is 20, and three posts are vacant.

In the year 1967 the number of medically qualified personnel was 13 and the number of vacancies was three. The number of other professional personnel was 18 and there was one vacancy.

Does the Minister not think that in view of the excessive work involved in his Department, there is a need for a greater number of personnel, medically and otherwise qualified?

In view of the expansion of the principle of receiving advice from various boards and committees and also the formation of the regional health boards, the hospital boards and Comhairle na nOspidéal, at the moment I would not think it necessary to expand the number of professional staff in the Department.