Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2019
854. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the full cost of implementing all of the recommendations of the 2018 capacity review of the health service, by recommendation and segments of recommendation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19319/19]
View answerThe 2018 Capacity Review projected demand and capacity requirements for a range of different health and social care services for the period 2017 - 2031. The terms of reference for the review did not include an examination of the costs of providing any additional capacity identified, and the Department has not undertaken a detailed costing exercise of the findings of the Review.
As the Deputy will appreciate, there is no one capital or revenue cost for additional beds, in terms of both hospital and community developments. The cost is dependent on the nature of the additional bed, the clinical speciality and where the additional beds will be provided (existing site, extension of existing site, or the development of a new facility). As such, I am not in a position to provide the figures requested by the Deputy.
It is important to note that the findings of the Review did however inform the National Development Plan process and the €10.9bn commitment to health service infrastructure for the period to 2027. It also informed the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy published last August, and will continue to be used as an evidence base to inform capital and revenue investments in the coming years.
