Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Apr 2002

Vol. 552 No. 4

Written Answers. - Hospital Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

28 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of general hospital beds currently available in the greater Dublin area and throughout the country; the number of such beds in the above categories in 1977; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12603/02]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

106 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the total number of general hospital beds in both the public and the private sector; the total number of such beds in 1975; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12766/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 106 together.

The average number of acute in-patient beds available in December 2001 was 12,000 of which 3,781 were in the eastern region. The number of beds available in 1977 was 17,376, of which 4,753 were in the eastern region. The number of beds available in 1975 was 16,807. These figures include private beds in public hospitals. My Department does not collect statistical information in respect of private hospitals.

The number of acute in-patient beds stood at 17,665 in 1980. Approximately 4,000 beds were removed from the hospital system between 1984 and 1988. A further 2,000 were removed between 1991 and 1993. Despite the reduction in bed stock, the number of in-patients treated has remained remarkably constant over the period as a whole; in 1980 there were 543,698 in-patient admissions and in 2000 the number was 548,834.

A comprehensive review of acute hospital bed capacity needs has been conducted by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Finance and in consultation with the social partners. The review, titled Acute Hospital Bed Capacity – A National Review, which was published on 16 January 2002, helped to inform the Government in its decision to provide a total of 3,000 additional acute beds for public patients over the next ten years. This represents the largest ever concentrated expansion of acute hospital capacity in Ireland. In tandem with the publication of the report, I announced the first phase of these additional beds with the commissioning of an extra 709 acute hospital beds at a cost of €65 million, of which 335 are in the eastern region. My Department has been advised, by the ERHA and the health boards, that 98 of these beds have been commissioned and an additional 23 beds will come on stream by the end of April 2002, with a further 49 beds by the end of May 2002. The balance will be introduced on a phased basis during the rest of this year.