asked the Minister for Health the welfare schemes and proposals, if any, to provide the proper care and maintenance of the aged in South Tipperary.

A new 40-bed welfare home in Tipperary town has just opened and plans are well advanced for the construction of another home in Clonmel which will incorporate bed-sitters and other variations on the standard welfare home plan. A site has been acquired in Carrick-on-Suir for a further home.

A geriatric assessment team for South Tipperary has been established and it will be based on a special unit associated with St. Patrick's Hospital, Cashel, which is due to open on 1 November next.

Voluntary social service organisations in Clonmel, Carrick-on-Suir, Tipperary town and Cashel provide a range of services for the elderly, including meals-on-wheels, and are grant-aided by the health board. There are three full-time home helps in the area in addition to part-time home helps employed by the voluntary organisations.