asked the Minister for Health if the examination of projects for the provision of residential or day care centres for mentally handicapped adults in the Eastern Health Board area has been completed by his Department; and, if so, the result of such examination.

The examination of projects referred to by the Deputy was carried out by my Department in conjunction with the capital programme for 1978. I have approved of all the major projects proceeding which, when completed, will provide 320 additional residential places, 340 additional day places and 115 places in replacement of existing accommodation. Some of the schemes also provide for accommodation for children and the total of the projects is estimated at £6.7 million.

If the House wishes, I will call Question No. 27 again.

27.

asked the Minister for Health if there has been any outcome to the discussion on the possibility of having a uniform method of payment for consultants within the present system of the health services.

The working party which is examining the possibility of introducing a common contract and a common selection procedure for hospital consultants is continuing its discussions and I expect a report this summer.

We have had supplementaries on this question.

It is my fault, a Cheann Comhairle, and perhaps I had better go over the same ground again.

The same supplementary.

What is the supplementary?

I have been asking the same supplementaries about each question because the same questions were all asked six months ago and nothing has happened since.

I do not think that applies to the question of accommodation for the mentally handicapped on which I have been able to give the Deputy a very satisfactory report, probably to his disconcertment.

That is right. That is the one the Minister skipped.

Furthermore, the working party which is preparing the common contract for consultants is making very satisfactory progress.

Not another working party.

It is a working party. What is wrong with a working party? These working parties are undertaking jobs which were left lying unattended for years until I tackled them.

What is happening? Nothing is happening.

On the question of a common contract for consultants discussions and negotiations for such a contract are well under way.

Can the Minister say when a decision will be made?

I have already indicated I had hoped a decision would be made by 31 March. Unfortunately, that was not possible because of the protracted nature——

Which year?

——of the negotiations and the discussions. It is now hoped that the final form of the contract will be available by the end of June of this year.

Can the Minister say if he will make a decision in July?

The purpose of the working party——

No. The Minister is the boss.

Order, please.

The purpose of the working party is to prepare an agreed common contract. When the working party have prepared such a contract it will be put into force.

If the working party report in June, will the Minister make a decision in July?

The job of the working party is to produce an agreed common contract for consultants. My Department are engaged on that work. The contract which will be produced will be an agreed contract which will become the common contract for the country.

The Minister has not answered my question.

The Deputy is upset that progress is being made in so many areas.

I am upset because I cannot find out about any progress.

I am telling the Deputy the position regarding the common contract for consultants. This was an issue which had been outstanding for years, left untouched by my predecessor, and one which I have undertaken to bring to fruition.