asked the Minister for Health the number of beds in (a) Clonskeagh Fever Hospital and (b) Cherry Orchard Hospital, County Dublin; and the number of beds in these hospitals not being used because of shortage of nursing staff, on the latest date for which information is available.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Hospitals.
9.
There are 90 beds at Vergemount Hospital, Clonskeagh, and 266 beds at Cherry Orchard Hospital for patients suffering from infectious diseases. At present the position is that nursing staff shortage is not a cause of non-use of any of these beds.
Could the Minister say how many beds are not in use?
I have not got that figure. The Deputy knows that Cherry Orchard Hospital is for fever patients and the number of beds occupied varies according to the need.
The Minister will agree, I am sure, that for some time past at least two wards in Cherry Orchard have been closed for various reasons, one of which was a shortage of nurses.
I have no evidence that it was due to a shortage of nurses.
10.
asked the Minister for Health the number of beds not in use in the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, and if he will give the reasons.
At present there are 23 beds in the Rotunda Hospital which are out of commission on account of building operations being undertaken there.