Joe Walsh
Question:157 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in long-stay institutional care within the State; the cost to the Exchequer of this care; and the number employed in providing this care. [22811/96]
Written Answers. - Long-Stay Institutional Care.
Limerick East): The following number of beds are available in long-stay institutions.
|
Category of Unit |
No. of Beds |
|
Health Board Geriatric Home/Hospital |
5,960 |
|
Health Board Welfare Home |
1,296 |
|
Health Board District/Community Hospital |
1,665 |
|
Private and Voluntary Nursing Homes |
10,674 |
|
Total |
19,595 |
It is estimated that there is a 92 per cent occupancy at any given time. On this basis the number of long-term patients is approximately 18,027.
The total cost to the Exchequer of providing long-stay services in health board institutions is estimated at £130.85 million for 1995 (Source: Revised Estimates for Public Service 1996). To this figure can be added an estimated contribution of £30.3 million to the support of people resident in private and voluntary nursing homes.
The number of staff employed in health board long-stay institutions at 31 December 1995 was 7,039 (whole-time equivalents). The number of employed in the private nursing home sector is not available.