asked the Minister for Health the total number of elderly patients boarded out under the aegis of the regional health boards at the latest available date; and the total amount spent on this service by the various health boards during the year 1971-72.

The number of elderly persons at present boarded out by health boards is 39; and the amount spent on this service by health boards during the year 1971-72 was £6,118.06.

Could the Minister say if there are any plans to extend this?

It is recommended that the community service managers should try experiments in this elsewhere. The experiments so far are confined to Westmeath and Dublin.