John Gormley
Question:742 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of step-down beds that have been provided or funded each year by his Department since January 2000; the number of these beds that were contracted from nursing homes; the average cost of contracting a step-down bed from a nursing home as opposed to the direct provision of such a bed by a health board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2107/03]