Vol. 571 No. 4
418 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of long-term care beds in use in the new community care unit at Maynooth, County Kildare, the reason all the beds are not in use, when it is likely that they will be, and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22096/03]
As the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for the provision of health services in the Kildare area rests with the South-Western Area Health Board acting under the aegis of the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has been informed by the area health board that 40 patients are accommodated in the community unit in Maynooth, which opened in 2002. The board also advises that it is planned that the remaining five beds will be brought into use in 2004.
