asked the Minister for Health when the report on the care of the elderly will be completed and published.

The Working Party on Health and Welfare Services for the Elderly is at present discussing a draft report and hopes to complete its deliberations and publish a report early in 1988.

May I ask the Minister because of the crisis that exists in the care of the elderly at present where the accommodation situation is appalling if he will consider transferring the role of some of the hospitals, which are now under threat, to care for the elderly. For example, in my own city, could the North Infirmary, which is very much in the news, now be converted into a hospital for the elderly?

I do not accept there is a crisis existing in regard to hospital accommodation for the elderly. I accept there are gaps in the service and, indeed, there were gaps in the service long before I came into office. I am awaiting this report and I hope to be in a position to do something about it. On the question of providing hospital facilities I made a decision, and reversed the decision of my predecessor, to maintain Baggot Street Hospital as a community hospital in the city and, hopefully, it will alleviate the need for hospital accommodation for the elderly, or at least part of it.

Since the Minister has gone on to specifics, has he any plans for converting the North Infirmary in Cork into a home?

That is a separate question.

I have no such plans.

The Minister went into specifics about Baggot Street Hospital.

Arising out of the Minister's response in terms of gaps that existed before he came into office, will he accept that at this time there is not a single geriatric bed available in County Wexford since the closure of Browns-wood Hospital, Enniscorthy? This is a tremendous cause of concern for general practitioners who have no reference point now for elderly patients in rural isolated areas. What steps does he propose to take to fill that particular gap which has come into existence since he assumed office?

I do not accept that accommodation is not available for patients who need accommodation, or indeed for elderly patients who need accommodation.

Tell them where, Minister.

I accept there are waiting lists and that they are longer than we would like to see them. For that reason I am looking forward to what I hope will be a very comprehensive report on the care of the elderly in our society. I hope we will implement some of the recommendations in the report shortly after we receive it.

May I ask one very brief supplementary question? Is the Minister aware that the chief executive officer of the South Eastern Health Board has issued a directive to the only two available geriatric hospitals in County Wexford not to accept admissions from the general public until all patients from Brownswood have been accommodated?

I am not aware of any such directive. I am a little confused because Deputy Howlin a few minutes ago stated there were no facilities for the elderly.

Are there beds available for patients from the general public?