Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 21 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 5

Written Answers. - Hospital Beds.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

120 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of additional acute hospital beds in each hospital in each health board area to date which have been brought into use since his announcement on 16 January of the provision of an additional 709 acute beds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9644/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

My Department has been informed by the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards that, to date, 98 beds of the additional 709 acute beds which I announced on 16 January are now in use. The breakdown is as follows:

Limerick Regional Hospital	19
Nenagh Regional Hospital	4
Our Lady's Hospital, Navan	14
Waterford Regional Hospital	12
Tralee General Hospital	7
University College Hospital, Galway	30
Mayo General Hospital	12

My Department has also been advised, by the ERHA and the health boards, that an additional 23 beds will come on stream by the end of April, with a further 49 beds by the end of May. Funding has been approved for the commissioning of the remainder of the 709 beds, which will be introduced on a phased basis over the next 12 months.