asked the Minister for Health if the plans for the proposed new St. James Hospital, Dublin have been sanctioned; and, if so, if they also include a dental teaching facility.

My function in relation to the planning of St. James Hospital relates to the planning of the general hospital and I have approved of the planning brief for the hospital. The design team are now engaged in the detailed planning of the project.

The Minister for Education has decided to locate the proposed new dental teaching facility for Dublin on the St. James Hospital site but the plans for this facility will be dealt with separately and not as part of the plans for the general hospital.

Will the Minister state if the plans for teaching facilities have been approved?

Any question about the new dental teaching facility for Dublin on the St. James Hospital site should be addressed to the Minister for Education.

In other words the Minister cannot say.

The Minister has no responsibility to say.

The hospital board will be very interested to hear that.