asked the Minister for Health the proportion of hospital beds which are controlled by voluntary hospitals.
Written Answers. - Hospital Beds.
182.
Twenty-four per cent (24%) of all hospital beds are located in voluntary public hospitals. This figure is based on beds in public hospitals including public psychiatric hospitals. It excludes beds in private hospitals and homes, beds in welfare homes for the aged and beds in special centres for mentally handicapped persons.
183.
asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital beds in the country; and the number controlled by voluntary hospitals.
The total number of hospital beds in the country is 39,500 approximately. This figure relates to beds in public hospitals including public psychiatric hospitals. It excludes beds in private hospitals and homes, beds in welfare homes for the aged and beds in special centres for mentally handicapped persons. Of this total approximately 9,600 are located in voluntary public hospitals.
184.
asked the Minister for Health the amount and the proportion of finance to voluntary hospitals provided by the State and other sources.
The total expenditure incurred for non-capital purposes by public voluntary hospitals, including joint board hospitals, in respect of 1981 is estimated to have amounted to £201 millions. The Exchequer's share of the total expenditure is estimated at £192 millions or 95.5 per cent with the balance being derived from other sources such as patient income, etc.
Capital funds provided for the hospitals mentioned amounted to £21.4 millions approximately in 1981. Of that total about £14.4 millions or 67.3 per cent were provided by way of grants from the Exchequer through the Hospitals Trust Fund with the balance of about £7 millions or 32.7 per cent being derived from other sources.
185.
asked the Minister for Health how much money by way of non-capital expenditure is spent on Irish hospitals and on voluntary hospitals.
The total non-capital expenditure on public hospitals, including public psychiatric hospitals is estimated at £561 millions in respect of 1981. This figure includes £201 millions approximately in respect of non-capital expenditure on public voluntary hospitals, including joint board hospitals. It excludes expenditure on welfare homes for the aged and residential homes for mentally handicapped persons which are not customarily classified as hospitals.