Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I am sorry, I should not have responded. Deputy Rabbitte asked about the three categories of bed to which the Tánaiste referred. Of those in high dependency beds, 48 with more demanding needs have been contacted by private nursing homes. A total of 318 patients have been discharged in 95 intermediate care beds for six-day week stays since contracts with private providers began in May. Additional home care packages and enhanced subventions have facilitated the discharge of 246 patients and 94 patients, respectively, from hospitals in the Dublin area. In total, around 700 patients have been removed from the hospital system this year.

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