asked the Minister for Health if he will consider appointing extra nurses to Our Lady's Hospital, Ennis, County Clare, in view of the fact that most of the nursing staff are asked to do overtime which they do not want to undertake.

The question of extra nurses for Our Lady's Hospital, Ennis, is a matter for the MidWestern Health Board in the first instance. I understand that the board have received and are considering a report from a committee set up by them to examine the system of ward management and staffing levels at Our Lady's Hospital. To date no proposals from the board for extra nurses for this hospital have been received in my Department.

I might mention that since 1975 21 additional nursing posts have been approved by my Department for this hospital. 11 of which were for the specific purpose of eliminating overtime.