David Cullinane
Ceist:1501. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of acute inpatient beds funded in budget 2021 that have been delivered and that are expected to be delivered by year end. [43143/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 9 September 2021
Ceisteanna (1501)
Freagraí scríofa
The Department of Health is working with the HSE to increase acute capacity in hospitals throughout the country. The Government allocated €236 million revenue and €40 million capital expenditure as part of Budget 2021 to fund 1,146 additional acute beds on a permanent basis by the end of 2021 (excluding critical care beds).
As of 6 May, the HSE has reported that 834 of these beds had opened. This represents a significant step towards achieving the recommendations in the 2018 Health Service Capacity Review.
With regard to the number of beds that have opened since, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.