asked the Minister for Health the present position in regard to the replacement of St. Mary's Hospital, Drogheda, County Louth; and if work by the design team is in progress.

A planning brief for a 100-bed geriatric unit and day care facilities to replace St. Mary's Hospital, Drogheda, which incorporated revisions suggested by my Department, has been prepared. Because of the constraints imposed on capital expenditure it has not been found possible yet to approve the appointment of the design team.