Vol. 527 No. 4
68 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Defence the total number of military hospital beds available; the number and location of these beds; the level of occupancy in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28511/00]
Following the reorganisation of the Defence Forces effected on 1 November 1998 under the Defence Forces review implementation plan the number of military hospitals was rationalised from three to one, with the redesignation of the Curragh and Cork hospitals as military medical facilities.
Military hospital services are now consolidated at St. Bricin's Hospital, Dublin, which the military authorities advise has a current availability of 54 beds. The in-patient bed occupancy rate is approximately 25%. The emphasis on medical service provision at St. Bricin's Hospital is towards out-patient services. My Department is at present exploring the possibility of sharing the St. Bricin's facilities with the Eastern Regional Health Authority.
