asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on the comment made by the chief executive officer of the South Eastern Health Board that hospitals in the region must close in 1988 because of a £4 million reduction in that health board's allocation for 1988.

I am aware of the comments made by the chief executive officer of the South-Eastern Health Board that it is not likely that the board will be able to avoid further acute hospital closures in 1988 as a result of its allocation for next year. It is a matter for the board in the first instance to determine a budget within allocation and to take whatever measures it considers necessary to live within its approved allocation. Nevertheless, I am concerned at the comments of the chief executive officer since it is my belief that there should be no further hospital closures in 1988 other than those which are already in train.

However, this is a matter for consideration by the board itself in the first instance and I will ensure that the management of the board receive all the necessary help and assistance from officials of my Department in framing a budget which will hopefully avoid the need for hospital closures. Pending the passing of a budget by the board for 1988 I do not propose to say anything further on the matter at this stage.

Surely the Minister's reply to this question and his reply to a previous supplementary are contradictory. Earlier he said that there would be no further closures in the coming year and now the chief executive officer of the South Eastern Health Board is saying that at least five hospitals will close. Will the Minister give an assurance that a sufficient allocation will be given to the South Eastern Health Board to secure the survival of hospitals such as Gorey District Hospital, Dungarvan District Hospital, St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny, St. Otteran's Psychiatric hospital in Waterford and the Haughton Hospital in New Ross? Will the Minister guarantee that these hospitals will survive?

I did not say anything contradictory. I said it was my belief that there should be no further acute hospital closures in 1988 other than those already in train. I was quoting what the chief executive officer said about hospital closures.

The chief executive officer of the South Eastern Health Board has said that the reduction of the allocation from £91.26 million this year to £87.24 million for next year will ensure that some hospitals under the control of that health board will close.

The Deputy is imparting information rather than seeking it.