On the basis of information provided by the Minister for Health in his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 124 of 6 June 1990, I am aware of an amount of £1.148 million held by health boards in respect of deceased patients without relatives. I am not aware that all such patients died intestate. However, under the provisions of the Succession Act, 1965, the State is the ultimate successor to the estate of a person who dies intestate and without relatives. Such estates are administered by the Chief State Solicitor and the proceeds are lodged to the intestate estates fund deposit account and subsequently disposed of for the benefit of the Exchequer.