asked the Minister for Health when he will sanction the proposal of the Western Health Board, submitted to his Department for approval in December, 1973, for the provision of an acute psychiatric unit at Ballina District Hospital.
Written Answers. - Ballina Psychiatric Unit.
84.
This proposal must be considered in the light of a variety of factors which make it impossible to say now when a decision is likely to be taken. These include (a) the declared policy of associating acute psychiatric units with general hospitals, (b) the facilities already available in the area, (c) the outcome of the deliberations of a working group now working out the role of community hospitals which, it is expected, will include Ballina and (d) the current economic situation.