Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 September 2008
396 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of new community beds that will be opened and staffed and funded by end of 2008; the number planned to be opened, staffed and funded in 2009 particularly in or around the major population centres of Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29426/08]
View answerI assume the Deputy is referring to the public long-term residential care fast-track initiative which commenced in 2007 and is continuing until 2009. The aim of this initiative is to provide 860 new intermediate and long-term residential care beds. The latest information received from the Health Service Executive indicates that 188 beds were provided in 2007 and that 325 and 347 are to be provided in 2008 and 2009 respectively. Of these, 75 are in the HSE West, 316 are in the HSE South, 242 are in the HSE Dublin North East and 227 are in the HSE Mid-Leinster.
I have referred the question to the Health Service Executive for a more detailed response and have asked the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
