As the Deputy is aware, I initiated a national review of bed capacity in both the acute and non-acute sectors, on foot of the commitment by Government in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. This review involves the development of a long-term investment strategy for the acute and non-acute sectors and will include a detailed assessment of future bed requirements in response to increasing demand and changing demographics.
The OECD reported a bed population ratio for Ireland in 1996 of 3.4 acute beds per 1,000 population. The OECD findings show Ireland in 13th position out of 20 countries with regard to the bed: population ratio. This analysis will be incorporated in the national review.
Addressing the problem of long waiting lists has been a priority matter for the Government and my Department in recent years. Significant increased investment in tackling this problem has contained and improved the situation. The issues involved in waiting lists are many and complex and bed shortage, is, of course, an aspect of the matter.
The national review of bed capacity will be completed shortly and will inform future policy discussions with regard to the development of acute hospital services and future strategies relating to such issues as waiting lists.