Willie Penrose
Ceist:399 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason there are some beds lying vacant at St. Mary's Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath, in spite of the major shortage of long stay beds for elderly patients; his views on whether this situation pertains due to the failure of the Midland Health Board to provide the necessary staff to ensure that these beds could be utilised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1159/00]