Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I stated earlier that the overall survey relating to a population of 4.25 million and rising is under way. The HSE will present its report on the survey when it is completed. I also indicated that 1,500 have already been provided and that approximately 350 private beds and 446 public beds will be provided this year. Arrangements have been made to provide approximately 400 additional beds next year. I also referred earlier to the 5,000 private beds in public hospitals.

This matter is not as simple as the Deputy thinks. The length of stay by patients in all our hospitals has been dramatically reduced. In the past, people were obliged to remain in hospital for between 14 to 16 days in respect of quite minor procedures. An enormous level of day surgeries are being carried out at present and the figures have risen by hundreds of thousands. The old system — even that which obtained five years ago — does not necessarily apply. That point has been made by medical and nursing organisations. It is because of the efficiency and skill of the members of these organisations that the number of day patients being treated has increased while the length of stay has decreased.

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