43 Mr. L. Burke asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps, if any, he will take to ensure that the epidural anaesthetic is available seven days a week in Tralee General Hospital, County Kerry, and to ensure that mothers in Kerry are not discriminated against and disadvantaged by the inadequacy of the existing epidural service. [18864/98]

95 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps, if any, he will take to ensure that the epidural anaesthetic is available seven days a week to mothers giving birth in Tralee General Hospital, County Kerry; and if he will ensure that mothers in Kerry are not discriminated against and disadvantaged by the inadequacy by the current epidural service. [18984/98]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 95 together.

Tralee General hospital currently provides a limited epidural service. The development of this service has been identified as a priority by the management of the hospital. My Department has had discussions with the Southern Health Board on the matter and funding for the future development of this service will be considered in the context of the board's priorities for service developments in 1999.