Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 252: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children further to the announcement of her predecessor on 29 July 2002 regarding community nursing units, when the 850 beds will be provided; the number provided to date; the costs involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24490/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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In line with Government policy, the Department of Health and Children has been examining a number of procurement options with a view to finding an approach that will deliver 850 additional long stay beds and provide the best services and value for money to the Exchequer. There have been discussions between the Department and the Department of Finance on an initiative which is based on entering into a medium-term service level agreement with the private sector to deliver additional long stay beds for highly dependant patients. The provision of beds for patients with a high dependency will help relieve pressure on the acute hospitals and community care programme. The proposal is being developed further to evaluate its cost effectiveness and to establish whether it is appropriate to ask the HSE to pursue the initiative as one of the methods to provide additional long stay bed and increase long stay bed capacity.