asked the Minister for Health the total number of people on hospital waiting lists for hip replacement operations; the average waiting time for this operation; the number of surgeons performing this operation; and the measures he proposes to take to reduce the present waiting lists.

There are 1,403 persons currently awaiting hip replacement operations in the country. The average waiting periods in the various health board areas range from four months to two years. There are at present 29 orthopaedic surgeons performing hip replacement operations in the country.

The following current developments are aimed at improving this service—

A new 60-bed orthopaedic unit at Sligo General Hospital is at tender stage and construction will commence soon.

Work is proceeding on the provision of a second sterile operating theatre at St. Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital, Cappagh.

The building of a second theatre at the Navan Orthopaedic Unit is in progress.

Centralisation of the Orthopaedic services of the Federated Dublin Voluntary Hospitals at Dr. Steeven's Hospital is under consideration. This scheme will provide for approximately 20 additional beds. A capital grant was approved recently to provide a new operating theatre suite at Dr. Steeven's Hospital.

In addition to the facilities outlined above three additional posts of orthopaedic surgeon are being filled at present, two for the North Western Health Board and the third for the South Eastern Health Board. I have also recently approved the appointment of four further posts of orthopaedic surgeon—two for the Southern Health Board, one for the Mid-Western Health Board and one jointly for St. Vincent's St. Michael's, Dún Laoghaire, and Cappagh Hospitals.

Can the Minister give the House any indication as to the time period within which the situation might improve, especially in regard to the west and north-west of Ireland?

I have outlined all of the steps which are being taken. It is a situation of continuing improvement.

Is continual improvement a situation which the Minister inherited?

There will be a 60-bed orthopaedic unit in Sligo which should make a considerable improvement in the west.

Could the Minister indicate the number of new patients going on the waiting list and the number of operations being performed per year?

I have the number of persons on the waiting list at present for the various hospitals and the average waiting time. It is a fairly detailed statement. Perhaps I had better supply it to the Deputy.

Is there any one area which is distinctly different from or worse than the others?

The Eastern Health Board is the big one. It accounts for 582. The next biggest is the Western Health Board with 238.

In terms of waiting time I understand that the west and north-west are particularly bad.

The west would be the worst.

The Minister did not state that any further appointments were being made to the Western Health Board which I understand has a terrible back-log. Am I correct in that?

The main thrust there is in Sligo where we have a new 60-bed orthopaedic unit which will be coming into operation soon. That is the main improvement we are looking for in the west. Different orthopaedic surgeons are being appointed in different parts, two for the NorthWestern Health Board, two for the Southern Health Board and one for the Mid-Western Health Board.

May I ask the Minister if he can indicate the position in respect of the South-Eastern Health Board area and what the prospects are for clearing up the back-log there?

There are 166 persons on the waiting list and I am afraid the average waiting time is about a year and a half to two years.

Does the Minister see any prospect of hurrying up the time factor there for treatment?

As I say, we are endeavouring to improve the situation throughout the country generally.

Can the Minister say when operations will start for orthopaedics in Sligo?

I am afraid I cannot.

How soon?

It is at tender stage and we will get on with construction as soon as possible.

In the meantime do the patients wait and get worse?

No, we have an improving situation in Manorhamilton in the interim.

Next June.

Is that a promise, next June?

Yes.