Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 193: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, in regard to the commitment given in the national health strategy to provide an additional 3,000 hospital beds, the number provided to date, and the 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. [28795/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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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 as of 14 October 2005, 806 beds were in place. The Health Service Executive has informed my Department that the remaining 94 beds/places will come on stream over the coming months. My Department will provide details separately to the Deputy.

There has been no overall diminution in the number of acute hospital beds since 1997. 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.

In addition to the 900 inpatient beds/day places mentioned, a further 450 acute beds/day places are in various stages of planning and development under the capital investment framework 2005-09. I announced in July this year an initiative which will provide up to 1,000 additional beds for public patients by transferring private activity in the public hospitals to new private hospitals on the sites of public hospitals.