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Has the Minister of State seen the services that are available at the unit, the size and the out-of-date position of it?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