Vol. 491 No. 7
50 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Defence the total funds allocated to St. Bricin's Hospital, Dublin 7, over the past five years; the total number of people treated and bed occupancy for the corresponding period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12928/98]
110 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Defence the maximum bed accommodation at St. Bricin's Hospital, Dublin 7; and the possible additional bed accommodation that could be added to the existing complement. [13167/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 110 together.
The total number of in-patients treated in St. Bricin's Military Hospital from 1993 to 1997, inclusive, was 5,800. A total of 105,000 out-patient services were provided during the same period — these included primary care, as well as medical, surgical, ENT, ophthalmologic, psychiatric and dental clinics. Over the five year period, the daily bed occupancy in St. Bricin's Hospital has ranged between 20 and 40 patients.
At present, 64 bed spaces are available in St. Bricin's Hospital. When ongoing refurbishment work to No. 1 ward is completed an additional 20 beds will be available. Ward No. 5, which has the potential to provide an additional 30 bed spaces, is currently unoccupied due to the fact that it requires considerable refurbishment, including roof repair.
As I advised the House recently, discussions are currently taking place with a major Dublin hospital with a view to setting up a pilot in-patient scheme which could be of benefit to both hospitals.
Separate budgetary details in respect of the three military hospitals are not normally quantified as the hospitals are operated as part of the services provided by the Army Medical Corps. However, the total overall cost of operating the Army Medical Corps is approximately £13 million per year. Currently, the hospital has a staff of 80 military personnel, 17 nurses and 24 civilian employees. A number of civilian medical consultants are also employed on a part-time basis.
