Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 75: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will amend the catchment area for a hospital (details supplied) in County Wicklow to include the area of south Wicklow which was in the catchment area prior to 2000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15479/05]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for the provision of health services in County Wicklow. Accordingly, my Department has been advised by the HSE that Baltinglass District Hospital covers a very wide catchment area for west Wicklow and has lengthy waiting lists for both extended care and respite care. Rathdown Hospital, St. Colman's, serves the east Wicklow area. The HSE has advised that the catchment areas for both hospitals were redefined in the newly created community care areas in 2000. The former South Eastern Health Board, the south-east area of the Health Service Executive, caters for patients in County Carlow. The HSE south-western area has advised that it has no immediate plans to change the catchment area for the Baltinglass District Hospital from the existing catchment area.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 76: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to recent reports on the local media in County Kerry expressing concern about the future of maternity services at Kerry General Hospital; if she will reassure the staff of the maternity unit and future users that these reports are unfounded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15306/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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My Department is not aware of any plans to close the maternity unit at Kerry General Hospital. I understand that management at Kerry General Hospital has taken steps to reassure staff in this regard. In fact, my Department has been informed that interviews were held in March of this year to recruit a permanent third obstetrician for the hospital. This appointment is being processed by the Public Appointments Service at present.