88 Mr. Bree asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the epidural service in Sligo general hospital has been withdrawn; and if his attention has further been drawn to the fear and concern of many expectant mothers who are distressed at the failure of the North Western Health Board to provide such a service in Sligo general hospital in view of the fact that adequate funding has been provided by his Department to provide such services; the action, if any, he intends to take to ensure that the service is reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17139/96]

Limerick East): A limited epidural service has been available at Sligo general hospital in recent years. The desirability of continuing the limited epidural service at the hospital has had to be reviewed against a background of increasing demand and concerns about patient safety implications.

The full service implication is being reappraised at hospital level with a view to putting in place a significantly enhanced epidural service from the beginning of 1977. This will require the redeployment of some resources within the hospital. In the interim the North Western Health Board is hopeful that some limited form of service can be reintroduced.