Vol. 524 No. 6
235 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on a recent Eastern Regional Health Authority analysis that the authority needs approximately 1,200 additional acute beds in the greater Dublin area to cope with current and projected needs over the next few years. [23604/00]
As the Deputy may be aware, I have initiated a national review of bed capacity in both the acute and non-acute sectors. This review is in line with the commitment contained in the "Programme for Prosperity and Fairness". The review is being conducted by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Finance and in consultation with the social partners. I have presented the interim findings of the review to my Government colleagues and identified a range of short to medium term investment proposals aimed at addressing identified service difficulties in both sectors. Further work is now being undertaken to develop a longer term investment strategy for the acute and non-acute sectors. The second phase of the review will be completed in spring 2001.
As part of Phase 1 of the review an analysis of bed needs in the eastern region was conducted by the Eastern Regional Health Authority and submitted to my Department. The authority is now undertaking a more detailed assessment of need including an analysis of future bed requirements by specialty. This study will further inform the work of the review and I look forward to receiving the authority's final report in due course.
