asked the Minister for Health if 45 beds have been withdrawn from use in St. Luke's hospital, Highfield Road, Dublin 6, resulting in an unacceptable waiting time for patients needing urgent treatment; the waiting time; the proposals, if any, he has to remedy the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The hospital has closed 36 beds for the remainder of the year. The waiting period for admission of patients is three weeks. Prior to the withdrawal of these beds the waiting period was two weeks. I am assured by the hospital authorities that in priority cases special arrangements are made to facilitate earlier admission if the clinical need requires it.