Niall Blaney
Ceist:182 Mr. Blaney asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will provide funding for 30 beds at Letterkenny General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22755/02]
Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
Following a comprehensive review of acute hospital bed capacity needs, the Government decided, in the context of the health strategy, to provide an additional 3,000 beds in acute hospitals over the next ten years. Earlier this year, I announced the first phase of these additional beds with the commissioning of an extra 709 beds in acute hospitals at a cost of €65 million.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that 38 of these beds were approved for the North-Western Health Board region, including eight beds at Letterkenny General Hospital. The board has submitted proposals to my Department for the provision of additional beds at Letterkenny General Hospital. This proposal will be considered in the light of the availability of capital and revenue funding.