andMr. Meaney asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made to provide suitable surgical cover for Mallow County Hospital so as to ensure comprehensive and constant surgical services there.

Consultations have been taking place between my Department and the Southern Health Board with a view to having joint staffing arrangements between Mallow Hospital and the Cork city hospitals as envisaged in the announcement of the general hospital development plan in October, 1975. It has not yet been possible to make satisfactory permanent arrangements but consideration of the matter is continuing.

In the meantime, surgical cover is being provided from Cork during absences of the Mallow surgeon.