Vol. 495 No. 1
259 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of respite places available within the Eastern Health Board; if he has satisfied himself that the number meets the needs of all respite patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19483/98]
I am advised by the Eastern Health Board that the number of respite beds available in the board's directly managed hospitals-homes is 126. Further beds are also available for use by the board in St. James's Hospital, the Royal Hospital, Donnybrook and Leopardstown Park Hospital. Private nursing home places are also contracted for respite care where necessary.
The board also advise that all its hospitals-homes have a flexible approach to the use of respite care places and every effort is made to facilitate respite-intermittent admissions. It is the board's intention to extend this service and the current capital programme of smaller scale community nursing units includes a number of respite beds in each new facility.
