43 Mr. Wyse asked the Minister for Health the reason only 35 of the additional 1,000 hospital beds, promised by him for this year, are to be made available in the Southern Health Board area; and if he will outline the way in which he arrived at the allocation of 35 beds.

257 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Health his views on the comment (details supplied) that the decision to allocate only 35 of the 1,000 additional beds to the region is disappointing; and if he will confirm that extra moneys will be made available.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 257 together. At no stage have I promised that there will be an additional 1,000 hospital beds available this year. Apart from the normal seasonal closures, the level of bed availability approved for 1990 will be maintained during 1991.