Ceist 3.

3.

asked the Minister for Health if he has received a document on the institutional services review for the Midland Health Board as passed at a meeting of the Midland Health Board in December 1984; and if he will make a comprehensive statement on his position regarding this very important matter which results in the closure of Tullamore maternity unit, and taking into consideration the fact that on 20 June 1984 in reply to a Dáil question, he gave a commitment to appoint a paediatrician to Tullamore Hospital.

I have received a rationalisation plan for hospital services from the Midland Health Board and given my approval in principle to it. In particular I have approved the establishment of a regional orthopaedic unit in Tullamore, the concentration of maternity services for Laois-Offaly in Portlaoise, the establishment of an associated paediatric unit in Portlaoise, and the provision of a new geriatric unit in Edenderry.

I am satisfied that the plan proposed by the Midland Health Board provides the best solution from both the medical and organisational points of view for the provision of hospital services in this area and discussions are taking place between officers of my Department and officials from the board on the measures which have to be taken to implement the plan.

I have been concerned for some time at the lack of paediatric and orthopaedic services in this area and my previous statement on the appointment of a paediatrician to Tullamore was designed to remedy the situation in relation to paediatrics. However, since that time considerable efforts have been made to find a viable solution to the broader issues and these have resulted in the preparation of the plan which I have now approved and which means that in-patient paediatric services for the area are now to be provided in Portlaoise with associated outpatient clinics in Tullamore.

I would be grateful if the Minister would tell me whether he has given the necessary permission to the Midland Health Board to advertise for the orthopaedic consultants and the ENT consultants. Have the board or the officials in the Department costed this proposal?

The immediate issue was the concern of the health board to get the paediatric service under way and approval from Comhairle na nOspidéal for the appointment of the paediatric consultants. I gave that approval as a first step. I am extremely anxious that it should be dealt with as a matter of urgency. The development of the orthopaedic unit in Tullamore is under discussion currently between the Department and the health board. I have not got sufficient information on that. I will write to the Deputy. There is no question of any delay.

With all due respect to the Minister, there seems to be a difference of opinion on this proposal because the Minister for Defence, Deputy Cooney, gave an undertaking to the people of Longford-Westmeath that the orthopaedic unit would be in Athlone. I believe the Taoiseach gave the same undertaking before Christmas.

That is information. The Deputy must ask a question.

What is the position? With all due respect to the Minister, is this the proposal he approved in principle? Does the total package stand?

I like the Deputy's gentle mischievousness. The package does stand.

Therefore the commitment given by the Minister's Cabinet colleague is of no consequence. Is that correct?

That is argument.

It is not argument. It is a fact. He gave a further commitment since then that this decision would be reversed.

In view of the demand for orthopaedic consultants in the midlands, when will the Minister be in a position to give the go ahead? We like to see things moving on the ground.

The go ahead was given on 18 February and there will be absolutely no delay.