asked the Minister for Health the position concerning the provision of a geriatric home in Ballinasloe town, County Galway.

I am not in a position to indicate when finance will be made available for the planning and construction of a welfare home in Ballinasloe.

A decision in regard to this will depend on the availability of capital resources and the priority accorded to it by the Western Health Board.

Has the Minister received a report from the health board concerning the provision of a site for this home? Can he tell me if he has given any priority to the building of this home in Ballinasloe?

The Western Health Board have not included the project in their top priorities for 1983 and therefore it is unlikely to figure in their short-term plans.

Has the Minister any information on the provision of a site?

I have not. The sketch plans and the design documents were sent to the Department in 1980. Having gone that far I would have thought the board would have had a site in mind.