Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 38: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if a full audit of the number of acute hospital beds in use in the public health system and of the number required to meet patient needs will be carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8461/06]

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 46: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of acute hospital beds and step-down beds that are required to meet the needs of the health service over the next five years and the next ten years; when the report on neurological services will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8547/06]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 110: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress made to date on the delivery of the promised 3,000 acute beds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8606/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 38, 46 and 110 together.

The Health Services Executive's National Service Plan 2006 which has been laid before the Houses of Oireachtas, states that there are 53 public acute hospitals with a total of 13,771 beds, inpatient and day places, at October 2005.

An Agreed Programme for Government includes a commitment to expand public hospital beds in line with the health strategy commitment to increase total acute hospital bed capacity by 3,000 by 2011. Substantial investment in additional bed capacity in acute hospitals has already taken place.

Funding has been provided to open an additional 900 inpatient beds and day places in public acute hospitals throughout the country. The Health Service Executive has informed my Department that 818 of these beds and day places are in place and the remaining 82 beds and day places will come on stream over the coming months.

In addition, a further 450 acute beds and day places are in various stages of planning and development under the capital investment framework 2005-09. In July 2005, I announced an initiative which will provide up to an additional 1,000 beds for public patients in public hospitals over the next five years. The Estimates for 2006 include €60 million to open new acute hospital facilities some of which will provide additional inpatient beds and day places. These additional inpatient beds and day places will go some way to achieving our commitment in the programme for Government to increase total acute hospital capacity.

My Department, in conjunction with the Health Service Executive, will be reviewing public capacity requirements in the acute hospital sector in the light of developments since the health strategy was published. My Department is in discussion with the HSE on an assessment to be carried out by them regarding long-term care residential requirements for older people, including respite and intermediate care.

Comhairle na nOspidéal published a report of a review of neurology and neurophysiology services in April 2003. The report recommended significant enhancement of these services, including increases in consultant staffing. As part of the Estimates for health services in 2006, additional funding of €3 million was allocated specifically for the further development of neurology and neurophysiology services. My Department is advised by the executive that the development of three new neurology units will commence during 2006, one in the mid-west, one in the north west and one in the south east, with the appointment of multi-disciplinary teams comprising consultant neurologists and support staff.

The HSE will also be investing in neurophysiology services in 2006, with the development of an innovative teleneurophysiology link between Sligo General Hospital and Beaumont Hospital. This initiative is designed to reduce waiting times for diagnostic testing.