79 Mr. Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if the Southern Health Board proposes to dispose of their lands at Gertrae, Killarney, County Kerry; and if so, if the public will be advised of (a) the sale and (b) the latest date for the receipt of tenders.

The land in question is attached to St. Fintan's Psychiatric Hospital and comprises approximately 90 acres. A decision in principle has been taken by the board to dispose of the land but the method of sale and the form — one lot or several lots — have yet to be decided.

The board are awaiting the adoption of the Killarney development plan by the local authorities before finalising the sale arrangements.

When the plan has been adopted the board intend to apply for outline planning permission before putting the lands up for sale. The public will be notified as the sale will be publicised in the usual way.

The final draft of the Killarney development plan will be presented to Kerry County Council and Killarney Urban District Council in a week or two and will then go on public display for three months, so that final decisions about the particulars of the sale of land will not be taken for at least four months.