I am advised by the Eastern Regional Board Health Authority, ERHA, that the issue of carrying out assessments in the region by social workers from the three adjacent health boards ie South-Eastern Health Board, Midland Health Board and the North-Eastern Health Board was looked into late last year and that none of the boards were in a position to carry out assessments due to their own waiting lists. Voluntary agencies were also contacted and all indicated that they could not help, with the exception of PACT, who agreed with the health board to carry out a limited number of assessments for couples who have an affinity with the Church of Ireland and associated churches.