asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has in preparation for extending or developing facilities at Letterkenny general hospital, County Donegal.

The planning of the major development of Letterkenny General Hospital has been completed and tenders for the project are being considered in my Department. It is expected that construction will commence next month. The developed hospital will have a total of 326 beds in a wide range of specialties together with the necessary ancillary facilities. The bed complement of the present hospital is 171.