Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 144: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of beds required to end the crisis at the accident and emergency departments in hospitals. [5294/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The delivery of accident and emergency services has been identified as a priority area for attention. Many of the difficulties and delays experienced in accident and emergency departments reflect systemwide issues. It is, therefore, necessary to take a whole system approach, involving primary care, acute care, sub-acute and community care in tackling the problems in accident and emergency departments.

I announced a ten point action plan for accident and emergency services on the publication of the 2005 Estimates. A sum of €70 million is available to the Health Service Executive this year for these initiatives. I have met senior management of the Health Service Executive and my Department is working closely with the Health Service Executive to ensure early implementation of these initiatives.