asked the Minister for Health if it is now the intention of the health board to dispose of Tralee County Hospital, County Kerry; and, if so, if he will arrange to have its disposal postponed pending further investigation on its suitability for geriatric purposes.

There is no proposal from the Southern Health Board to dispose of the existing county hospital buildings in Tralee. I understand that it is the board's intention at present to close down the existing hospital when the new general hospital is brought into use and I am in agreement with that intention.