With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 478 and 479 together.
A letter issued to the North Western Health Board on 20 June 1980 conveying my agreement to the draft design brief for the proposed new geriatric unit at Ballymote, County Sligo. It was not possible to issue the letter as soon as it was originally intended as some further examination of the brief and the proposed arrangement for the management of the unit was necessary.
I will make the necessary funds available to allow planning of the unit to be undertaken in the current year.
I understand that the existing old persons home is in an unsatisfactory state of repair and the health board are examining arrangements for the tem porary accommodation of 18 of the patients from the home. The order in charge of the home will provide temporary accommodation for the remaining patients.