asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that health boards are not providing an adequate community care, dental and ophthalmic service, which is causing hardship and suffering to many people; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I am aware that some hospitals have closed, or intend to close hospital wards——

A Cheann Comhairle, could I point out that that is Question No. 12 that the Minister persists in answering, not Question No. 11? Really, it is ridiculous to think that the Minister is not in a position to know what question he is answering.

Not at all. This is a change in Question Time procedure and it is my first occasion to deal with priority questions.

It is simply a matter of being able to count from one to 15.

I do not think there is any emergency at all. I shall deal with the question.

In recent years some health boards have cut back on the level of the dental and ophthalmic services provided for eligible adults in order to achieve economies, but the level of the services for eligible children is being maintained. Emergency cases and groups such as the elderly, the handicapped and nursing and expectant mothers are generally given priority in areas where the level of the service has been curtailed.