asked the Minister for Health if he will consider an immediate extension to the County Hospital, Ennis, County Clare, now graded regional, as there is a great necessity for extra accommodation there for acute medical and surgical patients which results from the large increase in the population of County Clare; and if he will have regard to the fact that extra accommodation would eliminate the gross overcrowding which affects patients' welfare and interferes with medical and nursing efficiency.

I have received proposals from the MidWestern Health Board regarding general hospital development in the health board area including proposals in relation to the development of Ennis County Hospital. Discussions have begun between officers of the health board and my Department on these proposals and a detailed examination of them is being carried out.