asked the Minister for Health why moneys are not being provided for the replacement of St. Joseph's Hospital, Dungarvan, County Waterford by a new 100 bed unit as had been planned.

Planning of this project has reached an advanced stage. The question of how further planning might proceed is being examined in my Department.

Is the Minister aware that planning reached an advanced stage two years ago and that this project was supposed to start well over a year ago? Why can the Minister not provide some money for the project?

I will do what I can to advance that project in the light of the moneys available. Once I proceed with that I have to undertake the commitment right to the building and it is on that basis that I have allocated the resources. That is a fair and reasonable basis. Having had discussions with the health boards, having told them what can be done and what we are proceeding with, I am prepared to see if we can find resources for any further development subsequently.

Is the Minister aware that St. Joseph's Hospital, Dungarvan, is a top priority with the South Eastern Health Board? The Minister has been talking about the allocation of over £4 million and still he has not given a bob towards this project.

The South Eastern Health Board gave us their priorities and I am very much aware of them. The Kilkenny hospital was the first priority and the new extension for maternity and a number of other priorities. Our allocations have been in accordance with their priorities.