asked the Minister for Health if there has been any outcome arising from his contact with the health boards, regarding the employment of dieticians.

I have sent to the chief executive officer of each health board a copy of a report prepared by the Food Advisory Committee regarding the role of the dietician in the health services. I have asked that the report should be considered and that each health board should indicate what action should be taken in the light of the recommendation in the report for the improvement in dietetic services.

I should mention that five extra posts of dietician for the hospital service were approved recently.

Are they filled yet?

Yes.

Can the Minister say what progress has taken place since he last answered a similar question in the House?

Five additional dieticians have been appointed. I have asked the health boards to give me a report on the action they propose to take because the responsibility in this area is theirs.

Is the Minister not aware that he told the House more than six months ago that he was asking the health boards the same question?

The health boards have been getting on with the task of action on this report in the interim.

Again, the Minister has not answered the supplementary question.

The Deputy's supplementaries are not intended to secure information.

The Minister's answers are not intended to be helpful.

The Minister is quite satisfied that the amount of work being undertaken and the progress being achieved in all these areas is unprecedented.

In an on-going fashion.

All work is on-going.

Order, please.