Brendan Howlin
Ceist:230 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the fact that patients in the south east region must wait a number of months for admission to hospital for hip replacement surgery; the proposals he has to provide resources sufficient to ensure that such patients, who suffer considerable pain and discomfort while awaiting surgery, will be admitted to hospital without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25218/00]