asked the Minister for Health if a number of temporary nursing staff at St. Brigids Hospital, Ballinasloe, County Galway have been laid off; and, if so, why.

I understand that female nursing staff are employed from time to time in a temporary capacity at St. Brigids Hospital, Ballinasloe. These temporary employments are for various reasons, mainly to fill in for staff absent on leave. Recently a number of the temporary nursing staff at the hospital were let go as the incidence of leave and so on did not warrant their retention. They may be called on again by the health board as circumstances at the hospital require.