Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 82: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps that have been taken in each of the past five years to address the issue of the lack of bed space in all hospitals with particular reference to accident and emergency; if she will further indicate the extent to which the issue has now been satisfactorily addressed or is likely to be in the foreseeable future; if she accepts that hospitals, including accident and emergency departments, are grossly overcrowded; if her attention has been drawn to the need to address these issues as a matter of urgency; her plans in this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15405/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I have already announced a series of measures which are being put in place to improve the delivery of accident and emergency services. These actions take a wide-ranging approach and are aimed at improving access to accident and emergency services, improving patient flows through accident and emergency departments, freeing up of acute beds and providing appropriate longer term care for patients outside of the acute hospital setting. Additional revenue funding of €70 million and additional capital funding of €10 million has been provided to support these actions. The Health Service Executive, HSE, has been charged with responsibility to implement the actions identified in the 10 point plan for accident and emergency services. There are also additional actions that are needed which relate more to the management, work practices and processes in hospitals. These too will be addressed by the Health Service Executive.

On foot of the commitment in the health strategy, funding has been provided to open an additional 900 inpatient beds and day places in acute hospitals. Health agencies have informed my Department that on 6 May 2005, 780 beds were in place. The Health Services Executive has informed my Department that the remaining 120 beds will come on-stream during 2005.

This Government has set out to improve the physical infrastructure of acute hospitals and particularly accident and emergency departments. A number of new units in acute hospitals throughout the country are in the process of coming on-stream. New accident and emergency departments have also been provided under the capital investment programme. I opened a new purpose-built accident and emergency department at Cork University Hospital last Monday. New accident and emergency departments and new hospital buildings were also provided at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown and Naas General Hospital at a total capital cost of €100 million and €75 million respectively. A new accident and emergency department was provided at Roscommon General Hospital at a capital cost of €6 million. New accident and emergency departments are expected to open this year at St. James's Hospital, Dublin and at South Tipperary General Hospital, Clonmel. Major capital projects at Tullamore General Hospital and St. Vincent's Hospital in Dublin will also result in new accident and emergency departments being provided. These developments together with new day facilities, theatre and diagnostic capacity will result in improved patient flows through the hospital system and make better use of existing inpatient beds.