asked the Minister for Health if he has yet considered a tender submitted to his Department for the erection of a welfare home at Carraroe, County Galway, on the 15th October; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

67.

asked the Minister for Health if he has yet accepted the tender submitted to his Department on the 30th September, 1974, for improvement works at Merlin Park Regional Hospital, Galway; and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take questions Nos. 66 and 67 together. The tenders for the improvement works at Merlin Park and for the home for the aged at Carraroe have been received in my Department and are being examined. The question of allowing these schemes to proceed is being considered in the context of the amount of money which will be available for expenditure on capital schemes starting in 1975. When this examination has been completed the Western Health Board will be informed immediately of the position.