asked the Minister for Health when it is proposed to commence building the new hospital in Wexford; and the reason no paediatrician has been appointed there.

18.

asked the Minister for Health when he intends to appoint a paediatrician to Wexford County Hospital.

44.

asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the deplorable condition of the surgical wing of Wexford General Hospital; the proposals, if any, he has for commencing work on the new surgical wing; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2, 18 and 44 together. I am aware of the fact that the standard of accommodation in the surgical unit at Wexford General Hospital is unsatisfactory. The provision of a new surgical unit together with ancillary facilities such as X-ray, out patients and accident and emergency departments, are at an advanced stage of planning. This project will proceed to construction stage as soon as capital resources can be made available for this purpose. I cannot yet say when it will be possible to do this and, in the circumstances, it is not yet possible to be precise about the starting date for the project.

With regard to the appointment of a paediatrician at this hospital, the estimated cost of this appointment together with the necessary support staff is of the order of £230,000 a year. The capital cost of providing and equipping accommodation must be added to this. In the present difficult budgetary situation, I am not in a position to make extra funds of this order available to the South-Eastern Health Board. However, I have indicated to the board that I am willing to consider any proposals which they may have for the redeployment of resources within their allocation to provide a paediatric service in Wexford.

At present, paediatric services for Wexford are provided from the regional paediatric unit at Ardkeen in Wexford.

Is the Minister fully aware of the position at the surgical hospital in Wexford and that, it has been claimed, the theatre there resembles something from the stone age? Is the Minister aware that the orderlies still carry patients to and from the theatre up two flights of stairs on a stretcher made from canvas and two poles? In view of those outdated facilities does the Minister agree that the new hospital should be built immediately, as proposed in 1982 when money was provided?

I agree that there is a need to reconstruct the hospital. I gave the go-ahead for the site development and the contract was awarded in July 1983. That work is now complete but the total work involved will cost £9 million. I am currently examining the 1986-87 capital programme of the Department to see how we may facilitate the development but at this stage no final decision has been taken in the matter.