asked the Minister for Health if the recent announcement by him of the provision of a health centre at St. Vincent's Hospital, Athlone, is the same health centre announced and adopted by the Midland Health Board in 1979.
Written Answers. - Athlone Health Centre.
599.
The health centre announced for Athlone is intended to provide community health services for the Athlone area. This health centre was originally proposed in 1979 and has been the subject of discussion between my Department and the Midland Health Board. As a result of these discussions certain improvements and modifications on the original plans were agreed. These changes take account of the current and expected future needs of the area and, on this basis, I was very pleased to give approval to the final stages in the planning process. I expect these stages to be completed this year and I am confident that construction work will also commence this year.