Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 361: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the extent of bed occupancy at the Maynooth Community Hospital; the extra staff required to bring the hospital to full operational capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4535/04]

Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware responsibility for the provision of health services in County Kildare rests with the South Western Area Health Board acting under the aegis of the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has been informed by the authority that the Maynooth community nursing unit has a bed complement of 44 beds, of which 35 are occupied at present. The board has indicated that the remaining beds will be occupied in April 2004.

My Department has been advised by the authority that it has been working with the South Western Area Health Board to resolve staffing issues at the unit and that an advertisement for staff will be placed in the national media in the near future. The authority has further advised that five registered general nurses, seven care attendants and therapy staff will be required to bring the unit up to full operational capacity.