asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to improve the position in relation to the orthopaedic out-patients waiting list in Letterkenny General Hospital, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The North Western Health Board have arranged that two additional orthopaedic out-patient clinics per month will be held at the Sheil Hospital, Ballyshannon to cater for patients from South West Donegal. This arrangement will help to relieve the situation at Letterkenny General Hospital in so far as orthopaedic patients from South West Donegal, at present on the waiting list at Letterkenny General Hospital will now be transferred to the clinics at the Sheil Hospital.

8.

asked the Minister for Health if she will sanction the provision of full ENT services at Letterkenny General Hospital, County Donegal.

This is a matter, in the first instance, for the North Western Health Board. There is no proposal for the provision of in-patient ENT services in Letterkenny General Hospital before my Department. As part of the planning of the general hospital services in the North Western Health Board area, it was agreed with the health board that full ENT specialist services to cater for the entire board area should be located at Sligo General Hospital and that out-patient services would be provided at Letterkenny General Hospital.

Is the Minister aware that the North Western Health Board took a decision for full ENT services to be provided at Letterkenny? It would appear from her reply that she is not so aware. In view of this decision by the health board in relation to this much needed service in the Letterkenny General Hospital, will she ensure that it is given?

I can only refer the Deputy to my reply. As part of the planning of the general hospital services in the North Western Health Board area it was agreed with the health board that full ENT specialist services to cater for the entire board area should be located at Sligo General Hospital. That is my information.

I do not accept what the Minister has said. As a member of the North Western Health Board I am fully aware that a decision was taken by the members that this service should be provided in Letterkenny General Hospital.

I will check it out for the Deputy.