Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 75: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children to comment on the commitment given in the national health strategy to provide an additional 3,000 hospital beds; the number provided to date; the list of hospitals in each case; the projected number that will be provided before the end of 2005; the number of beds lost since 1997 in each such hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4251/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The health strategy contains a commitment that over ten years a total of 3,000 acute beds will be added to the system. In this context, funding has already been provided for an additional 900 beds in acute hospitals throughout the country, 700 of which were in place at the end of January 2005. It is envisaged that the remaining 200 beds will open before the end of 2005.

There has been no overall diminution in the number of beds since 1997 in the hospitals mentioned with the exception of orthopaedic beds having been transferred from Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, and from Kilcreene Orthopaedic Hospital to Waterford Regional Hospital. It is important to note that the numbers of beds available in any hospital may fluctuate over time depending on service demands and other factors such as seasonal closures and refurbishment. I am providing details separately to the Deputy. In addition, extra beds will be provided in the new acute medical units which I announced as part of the accident and emergency services package on the publication of the Estimates for 2005.