Vol. 394 No. 8
33 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that four wards in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, remain closed; the reason for this situation; the steps which are being taken to have the wards brought into service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
First of all I would like to explain to the Deputy that Beaumont Hospital replaced the Charitable Infirmary, Jervis Street and St. Laurence's Hospitals. While the full bed complement of Jervis Street and St. Laurence's was 610 when they closed the Deputy will be aware that there are a total of 640 beds open in Beaumont at the moment.
The present position of ward accommodation is that there is one ward not in use at the present time. This ward is to accommodate a 33 bed acute psychiatric unit which is to form part of the general psychiatric service operated by the Eastern Health Board. It is hoped to open this ward as soon as resources permit.
