asked the Minister for Health when he will be in a position to fund the post of consultant radiologist for Roscommon County Hospital approved some months ago by Comhairle na nOspideéal.

The funding of this post will be considered when the financial allocation for the health services for 1981 has been determined.

On what date did Comhairle na nOspideéal approve this appointment?

They approved by letter on 4 January 1980 a joint appointment post on a whole-time basis of a consultant radiologist for the Western Health Board and Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, to be based in the County Hospital Roscommon including at least a minimum part-time commitment to Portiuncula Hospital.

Can the Minister say why, since Comhairle approved this appointment 11 months ago, it has not been filled to date?

Because it was not possible to support the post in 1980.

Is the Minister saying that the money to pay one salary attached to one single consultant to be deployed between two hospitals and one health board area has been delayed 11 months by his Department?

It is not merely a matter of one salary. It is the back-up which goes with that and the additional staff.

Congratulations.