asked the Minister for Health the proposals he has for the improvement and development of the district hospitals in County Clare.

I do not have any proposals from the Mid-Western Health Board at present for further developments at the district hospitals in County Clare. However, as the Deputy is probably aware, a considerable amount of work has been carried out at these three hospitals in the last few years. For example: at Ennistymon district hospital upgrading of the toilets and bathrooms and also rewiring and fire precaution works have been carried out; at Raheen district hospital the ground floor has been extended with the result that all the patients are now accommodated at this level and at Kilrush district hospital major rewiring and fire precaution works have been completed while surplus accommodation was used to provide a day psychiatric unit which opened earlier this year.

Is the Minister aware that there are proposals for a day centre at Ennistymon hospital? Are his Department aware that a schedule of accommodation has been drawn up and that his Department, together with the health board and the hospital authorities, should have come to some agreement by now?

I understand that the board at present are drawing up plans for the development of a day hospital at Ennistymon and that these will be submitted to the Department in due course. I have not got them at the moment. A local voluntary group have promised to make a contribution towards the cost of this project. That is the position regarding Ennistymon, and I would be glad to hear from the health board about their immediate plans in that regard.

The Minister will be aware that there is a necessity in Kilrush in particular for some acute hospital accommodation. Has any attention been paid to that area in the plans which have been put forward by the health board for the Kilrush district hospital? The Minister will be aware that an application for a lift in the hospital was made quite some time ago.

I am aware that the health board are examining proposals for the provision of a lift in Kilrush hospital costing about £30,000. I gather that the monitoring group in the area may be in a position to provide some funds in connection with this development. I would be glad to hear from them also.

In relation to the activities of many voluntary groups, is the Minister aware that the imposition of VAT on hospital equipment and facilities which have been provided by voluntary groups is hampering the activities of many of those voluntary groups? Can he take any action to deal with that?

That seems to be a separate question.

My friend, the Minister for Finance, expects to make an announcement about that in a week or two. We are, accordingly, finalising arrangements relating to the purchase of equipment by voluntary groups. It would be a VAT refund system.