122 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health the number of consultancy posts for plastic surgery, which have been recommended by Comhairle Na nOspideál; the way in which the present complement of plastic surgeon positions compares with that figure; the present numbers waiting for plastic surgery compared to the throughput of cases dealt with in the most recent year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the future development of this speciality.

In 1990, a total of 6,982 patients were admitted to hospitals for plastic surgery. In relation to the present number of patients awaiting plastic surgery, my Department are currently collating and processing the details of the latest returns made by hospitals and I will make them available as soon as possible.

In September 1991, the Report of the Committee on Plastic Surgery Services recommended that the existing complement of eight consultant posts be increased, over a period of time, to 14.

The current position is that I have recently approved the appointment of two additional posts of consultant plastic surgeon — one to be shared between St. James's Hospital and Our Lady's Hospital, Crumlin and the other between Temple Street Hospital and the Mater Hospital. The creation of further posts, as recommended in the Comhairle report, will be considered as sympathetically as possible by my Department in the context of the resources available and the many competing demands for new developments throughout the health services.