asked the Minister for Health if in view of the long waiting list for admission to Our Lady's and St. Theresa's Hospital, Edenburn, Gortatlea, County Kerry, he will arrange for the re-opening of the 14-bed ward there which was closed some months ago.

This is a matter for the Southern Health Board.

In October 1982 the health board made arrangements to accommodate patients from this hospital's pre-convalescent and orthopaedic units, which were underused, in one unit and to close the 14-bed orthopaedic unit. The health board's purpose in the short term was to use the staff thus released to substitute for staff on holiday or sick leave and to eliminate the need to employ additional staff for relief duty. The health board, like all health agencies, have been asked to reduce the numbers of staff employed by 2 per cent by 31 March 1983 and in these circumstances they have decided that the orthopaedic unit in Edenburn Hospital will not be re-opened during 1983.

I am disappointed with that statement because there is a long waiting list——

A question please, Deputy.

It is most unfortunate that this ward was closed at the expense of the patients in order to reduce the number of staff.

A question please, Deputy.

Would the Minister review the position in view of the long waiting list of those who have to go into hospital?

The health board have taken a very definite decision on the matter. In spite of the fact that I received a substantial number of representations, I am loath to interfere with the staffing arrangements of a health board. In those circumstances it looks as if this decision is not likely to be changed in 1983.