Richard Bruton
Ceist:116 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the total staffing implications, capital expenditure implications and general operating cost implications of expanding public hospital beds by 3,000. [14105/02]
Written Answers. - Departmental Expenditure.
A comprehensive review of acute hospital bed capacity needs has been conducted by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Finance and in consultation with the social partners. The review titled – Acute Hospital Bed Capacity – A National Review – which was published on 16 January 2002, helped to inform the Government in its decision to provide a total of 3,000 additional acute beds for public patients over the next ten years. This represents the largest ever concentrated expansion of acute hospital capacity in Ireland. The commissioning of over 700 of these beds is being advanced by the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards. The estimated cost in current terms of providing an additional 3,000 acute hospital beds over the next ten years is €483 million revenue and €1270 million capital. The process of identifying the additional staffing requirement, which is necessary for the commissioning of these additional beds, will be advanced by the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards in conjunction with my Department.