Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 December 2015
471. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of beds and wards in hospitals (details supplied); the number of these that are currently closed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46337/15]
View answerAdditional funding of €18 million has been provided to support the acute hospital system over the winter period by providing additional bed capacity and other initiatives to support access to care.
A further 301 beds are being added to support the acute hospital system over the winter period across various locations. As of 16 December, 174 of these beds are now open with a further 69 to open by year end.
As of 16 December, a total of 111 hospital beds which had been closed for refurbishment or for infection control purposes during 2015 have been re-opened, with further beds opening in January 2016.
As the specific numbers of beds and wards closed in individual hospitals is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
