Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 July 2020
663. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the status of the 60-bed interim unit at University Hospital Limerick; when these units will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16880/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, commits to continuing investment in our health care services in line with the recommendations of the Health Service Capacity Review and the commitments in Project Ireland 2040.
The Capacity Review found that the net requirement, in a reform scenario, is for an additional 2,590 hospital beds by 2031 (inpatient, day case, critical care) with an immediate requirement for 1,290 beds to address overcrowding and to ensure hospitals operated at 85% occupancy in line with other OECD countries. Approximately 770 additional beds have been provided to date. The National Development Plan provides for the addition of the full 2,590 beds by the earlier date of 2027.
Since December 2017, an additional 25 beds have opened in University Hospital Limerick. A capital budget of €19.5 million has been approved for the provision of a modular 60-bed inpatient ward block at University Hospital Limerick, with funding of €10 million allocated in 2019. The HSE have advised that the enabling works are complete, and the main contractor is now on site. The 60 bed modular unit is on course to be completed as planned in Q4 2020. This important project will go some way towards addressing the acknowledged lack of bed capacity in the region.
