Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for the provision of services at Wexford General Hospital.

There has been an increase of approximately 9% in attendances at the accident and emergency department of Wexford General Hospital between 2001 and 2002, a further increase of 9% between 2002 and 2003, and a 6% increase between 2003 and 2004. Overall admissions to the hospital have also increased by about 10% in the past two years, 15% in the past five years and 26% in the past ten years. Based on these pressures the former South Eastern Health Board identified the need to provide an additional 19 acute hospital beds.

The detailed capital funding programme for hospitals for 2005 is currently being finalised in the context of the capital investment framework 2005-09. The process will be concluded in the near future. The Health Service Executive will then be in a position to progress its capital programme in line with the overall funding resources available for 2005 and beyond. A decision on the additional 19 beds will be made in the context of the agreed capital framework for the executive.

As Senator Jim Walsh may be aware, it is the Tánaiste's intention to meet Members of the Oireachtas from the Wexford area once the capital investment framework has been approved. I am confident that the HSE will be able to address the need for additional acute beds at Wexford General Hospital. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir as ucht na ceiste a chur agus tá súil agam go mbainfidh sé tairbhe as an bhfreagra.