Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 116: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of medical, surgical and nursing beds available to public hospitals throughout the country; the number of such beds in 1990; the number of staff employed by the health services for the respective periods; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21502/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The bed complement at 31 December 1990 for hospitals which are now classified as HSE Network Hospitals was 11,154 in-patient beds and 284 day places. In 1993 a new system of counting hospital beds was introduced. This is based on the average number of beds available for use over the year taking into account beds that are temporarily opened or closed. Provisional figures for 2005 indicate that the average number of beds available for use in HSE Network Hospitals was 12,042 in-patient beds and 1,213 day places. 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. The total number of staff employed in the public health, including hospitals, community and primary care services, was 57,781 at end 1990 and 101,978 at end 2005 an increase of 44,197.