Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive state that the hospitals require other beds in order to rectify this problem. We have put together several action points to assist in this, which are being implemented. Buying beds from the private sector for step-down care is one measure and yields approximately 500 beds. Another point is to install acute medical facilities in hospitals where there is a continual problem, for example, Tallaght Hospital, St. Vincent's Hospital and Beaumont Hospital. I have previously spoken about facilities for beds and temporary beds being considered for the Mater Hospital.

We are also trying to establish GP out-of-hours services in the regions of these hospitals. All these measures are under way. Resources have been made available for capital equipment and for staffing, although the staffing issues have been dealt with. These improvements are under way. Until those actions are completed and properly implemented we will not be on top of this issue for the four or five hospitals that have a continual problem. In other areas, such as Limerick——

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