250 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 10 will have a hip replacement operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5438/02]

Responsibility for the provision of hospital services to residents of Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has therefore, asked the regional chief executive of the authority to investigate the position in relation to this case and to reply to the Deputy directly.