asked the Minister for Health his proposals for the building of a new maternity unit at Mallow, County Cork.

It is my intention to have a detailed review carried out of the organisation and location of obstetric beds in the entire Cork area. The question of the provision of a maternity unit at Mallow will be considered in this wider context.

When is it proposed to carry out that survey or investigation?

Over the coming months.

Is the Minister of State aware of the urgency and that this situation in Mallow has been ongoing for a number of years and that no decision has been taken? It has been kicked around from one side of the Department to the other. Is the Minister of State aware of the large catchment area there and the distance mothers must travel to the maternity hospitals in Cork for facilities?

Yes, it has been kicking around for some time. In May 1977 the Southern Health Board submitted proposals to my Department for the establishment of a self-staffed maternity unit in Mallow. At the same time the health boards applied to Comhairle na nOspidéal, the body statutorily responsible for the approval of consultant posts, for the appointment of two consultant obstetricians and gynaecologists and one paediatrician in the Mallow hospital. In October 1977 Comhairle nainOspidéal informed the health board that they could not approve of these applications on the grounds that the potential number of beds in Mallow hospital for the catchment population would not justify a minimum scale maternity unit. The Deputy will be aware that in 1976 the comhairle laid down guidelines that the minimum size consultant-staffed maternity unit should have from 1,500 to 2,000 births each year.

Will the Minister of State assure the House that he will expedite a decision on this situation as quickly as possible as far as Mallow is concerned?

Yes, As I said, there will be a review in the overall Cork context, not necessarily in the Mallow context, and when that is done we will be able to make a decision as to what maternity accommodation is required in the Cork area and where it should be.

Could the Minister of State tell us how many maternity units in the country have 1,500 or more deliveries——

The question is about Mallow only. Ceist Uimhir 25.

The Deputy knows that I have not got that information but if he wants it I will get it and give it to him.

I will be interested to have it.

25.

asked the Minister for Health if he will sanction the development of a proper accident emergency and out-patients department for Mallow general hospital, County Cork.

The planning brief for the development of facilities at Mallow hospital prepared by a project team representative of the Southern Health Board and my Department has now been submitted to me for my approval. The accident and emergency and out-patient departments have been identified as priority areas for development. I am considering the planning brief at the moment.

The development of a proper accident and emergency unit at Mallow is very important.

A question.

The setting up of an emergency unit is vital to the area. The construction of the new Mallow-Cork road is likely to bring about a rapid increase in the population similar to that which occurred in Naas following the construction of the Naas dual carriageway. Demands on the hospital are likely to increase as did those in Naas. With the deficiency in Mallow hospital with one staff member to one patient as against three in the Cork Regional Hospital, Mallow is deserving of all facilities that can be made available there.

Spoken like a true Mallow man.

Ceist Uimhir 26.

The accident and emergency department is second on the list of priorities with the health board, so it is held in high priority now.

Will the Minister of State give a deadline as to when the development will be carried out?

I could not, no.

Has the Minister of State seen the services that are available at the unit, the size and the out-of-date position of it?

The Deputy would not be applying for it if they had good facilities there.

That is why I am asking. I would like him to visit the hospital and see for himself so that he will make provision for it to be a first priority.

The out-patients department is the first priority and the second is the accident and emergency department.

When will development take place?

I am passing on to the next question.

When I make a decision I will let the Deputy know.

Will it be in 1983?

No, the Deputy can take it that it will not be in 1983.

Question No. 26.

Is it likely that the new emergency and out-patients unit will be included in the new capital allocation?

As the Deputy is probably aware, the Minister is visiting all the health boards and discussing with the officials the priorities and capital needs for the current year. He should be completing his visits in about ten days' time and thereafter he will be in a position to give a list of the priorities in the various health board areas.