asked the Minister for Education when money will be made available to enable the Cork Dental School and Hospital to transfer their operations to the new building at Cork Regional Hospital.

7.

asked the Minister for Education if the Cork Dental Hospital at Wilton will be completed by the start of the next academic year; if adequate funds have been made available to complete the work; and if he will make a statement on the present position.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 7 together.

Provision has been made in the Estimates for the current financial year for the supply of the remaining items of equipment and loose furniture required for the recently completed Cork Dental School and Hospital.

My Department understand that updated tenders for the items in question are awaited by the Cork Hospitals' Board.

In view of the fact that the hospital has been available for occupation for quite a long time, could the Minister explain the delay in ensuring that this hospital can operate?

The certificate of practical completion was issued on 31 July 1980. Tenders were approved for the purchase of equipment, including phantom head units, X-ray equipment, dental chair units and so on. Tenders for the remainder of the equipment and loose furniture are awaited by the board at present. They will be submitted to the Department for approval as soon as they have been received.

Have they any money to pay for it?

They have lots of money. The necessary financial provision has been made in the Estimates for the current year.

Could the Minister explain the bad management in respect of the bringing into operation of Cork Dental Hospital?

I do not think there is any undue delay.