Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 October 2018
289. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if the construction and staffing of the 60-bed unit at University Hospital Limerick (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40878/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Health, I am committed to continuing the effort to address overcrowding in our EDs, and in particular, improving the capacity of the system to respond during periods of peak demand.
My Department has engaged with the HSE this year to identify the location and mix of beds across the hospital system, which can be opened and staffed this year and into 2019 in order to improve preparedness for Winter 2018/2019.
The proposal from the HSE to increase acute and community bed capacity, which identifies 609 acute beds and 290 residential care beds to be phased in between 2018 and 2020, includes 60 additional in-patient beds in Limerick University Hospital to be delivered through a modular build programme.
The funding of this proposal is under consideration in the context of the 2019 estimates process.
