As the Deputy will be aware, the provision of health services in the Kildare area is, in the first instance, the responsibility of the South Western Area Health Board acting under the aegis of the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has been advised by the chief executive of the authority that the current position is that 30 beds are in use. This reduction in bed availability arose because of a shortage of appropriate trained staff. Efforts are ongoing to replace staff who have recently left and to recruit the necessary additional staff to enable the unit to become fully operational. Further staff interviews are taking place this week.