asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of proposed reductions in hospitals services and closures planned in 1988.

As I indicated to the Dáil on 1 December 1987 and 9 February 1988 (Dáil Debates Vol. 376 No. 1 Col. 135 and Vol. 377 No. 6 Col. 1400 respectively), I do not intend to close any hospitals apart from those which have already been announced.

However, the provision of hospital services and the future of hospitals generally are primarily matters for health boards and voluntary hospitals in the first instance, in the context of the measures they deem necessary in order to live within their financial allocations.