asked the Minister for Health the number of welfare homes for ambulant patients in each county.

The following is the position regarding the provision of new welfare homes. The information relates to those counties in which such homes have been provided, or are in progress or at planning stage. The figures shown in brackets relate to the number of homes for each county.

(a) Welfare homes completed and occupied:

Carlow (1), Clare (1), Cork (1), Donegal (1), Dublin (3), Galway (1), Leitrim (1), Limerick (1), Mayo (3), Offaly (1), Roscommon (1), Tipperary (2), Waterford (2), Wicklow (1).

(b) Welfare homes in progress:

Cavan (1), Cork (2), Dublin (1), Galway (2), Leitrim (1), Louth (1), Monaghan (1), Offaly (1), Westmeath (1).

(c) Welfare homes at planning stage:

Donegal (2), Dublin (2), Kilkenny (1), Limerick (2), Louth (1), Mayo (1), Sligo (1), Tipperary (2), Wexford (1).

(d) Welfare homes approved in principle:

Cork (2), Kildare (1), Tipperary (1).

319.

asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the acquisition of the premises of the former vocational school at Ballinamuck for use as a welfare home for the north Longford area.

320.

asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the acquisition of the premises of Castlecore Convent, Ballymahon for use as a rehabilitation or welfare home for the south Longford area.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 319 and 320 together.

The acquisition of the premises referred to in the questions would be a matter for consideration in the first instance by the Midland Health Board. I understand that the question of the acquisition of the former vocational school premises at Ballinamuck for use as a welfare home was considered by the health board at their meeting on 30th January, 1975, but that the premises were not regarded as suitable for this purpose.

I understand that the board have not considered the question of the acquisition of Castlecore Convent, Ballymahon, for use as a rehabilitation centre or a welfare home but I am bringing the Deputy's suggestion to the board's notice.