Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 February 2005
224 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to having extra beds provided for Letterkenny General Hospital to help ease the pressure on the accident and emergency unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3799/05]
View answerThe Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for services at Letterkenny General Hospital. Accordingly, my Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's north-western area to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
I have identified the delivery of accident and emergency services as a priority area for attention. I have announced a ten-point action plan in relation to accident and emergency services which is being financed with €70 million current funding and €10 million capital funding. My Department is liaising with the HSE to progress the implementation of the plan.
