Vol. 541 No. 2
586 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has brought the value for money audit of the health service and the review of bed capacity to Government; and if so, the decisions the Government has made on that review. [22088/01]
I intend to bring the report on the value for money audit of the health services to Government with a view to its publication in the context of the developing national health strategy over the coming weeks.
As the Deputy is aware, I initiated a national review of bed capacity in both the acute and non-acute sector 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. I will bring the findings of the review to Government in the near future.
