(Cavan-Monaghan) asked the Minister for Health the number of patients (1) from County Monaghan and (2) from County Cavan on the waiting list for hip operations in the Orthopaedic Unit, Navan, County Meath; the number of patients on each list for one year, two years, three years and four years or more and the proposals to have these patients dealt with in a reasonable time.

On 14 February 1980 there were 92 patients from County Monaghan and 91 patients from County Cavan on the waiting list for hip operations in the orthopaedic unit in Navan. The rest of the information requested by the Deputy is set out in a table which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I will have circulated with the Official Report. a second operating theatre in this unit was opened in November 1979. This will enable additional operations to be carried out when refurbishing of the original theatre is completed in about a month's time.