Vol. 411 No. 1
560 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Health if he will indicate if he has carried out any studies in relation to the unit cost of a hospital bed; the sources of the various manufacturers of this hospital equipment; the manufacturer from whom the Department of Health purchases this equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The unit costs of hospital beds will tend to vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and I am not aware of any studies which have been carried out in relation to such costs.
The purchase of hospital beds is a matter for the health boards and other health agencies in the first instance. Hospital beds are supplied on the basis of competitive tendering and the provision of the information which the Deputy is seeking concerning the sources of supply is a matter for the health agencies concerned.
