asked the Minister for Health if her Department have received any request from the Southern Health Board to sanction a maternity hospital at Mallow, County Cork; if she favours such a development; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

My Department have had such a request. The provision of a maternity unit at Mallow has been a subject of consideration by the Southern Health Board, Comhairle na nOspidéal and my Department since May 1977. Essentially the problem in Mallow relates to the number of births which could be expected to take place at the unit. I am, however, having the matter reconsidered in the light of the latest statistics on population and prospective birth numbers.

I should like the Minister to give the matter urgent consideration with a view to having a maternity unit established in Mallow in the near future.

That is what I have said. I have told the House that I am having the matter reconsidered in the light of the latest statistics on population and prospective birth numbers. I am acceding to the Deputy's request.