Vol. 480 No. 2
205 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Health if he has agreed or is planning a programme of hospital bed closures; if so, the number of bed closures proposed on a hospital basis; the date of commencement of the closures and their duration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13979/97]
As the Deputy is aware, hospital bed management is a matter for hospital managers. My Department does not have all the details of proposed bed closures in hospitals during the summer months but from the available information there is no indication that these closures will be greater than in previous years. Bed closures are usually planned to coincide with periods when staff are on annual leave and to take advantage of a fall-off in demands during the holidays. As in previous years, such periods provide an opportunity to refurbish wards or to carry out minor capital improvements. For those reasons, summer bed closures have commenced and will continue during the holiday season.
