Bernard Allen
Ceist:260 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has sanctioned the provision of 5,000 new hospital beds by the year 2011. [16032/01]
Written Answers. - Hospital Accommodation.
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. The review is being conducted by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Finance and in consultation with the social partners. The review is primarily focused on the emerging need to increase bed capacity and to have a strategic framework in place in terms of the number of additional beds required in the short, medium and longer terms. The findings of the review will be submitted to Government in the near future.