Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 225: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans for the augmentation of the public hospital bed complement in the short term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24470/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 226: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the full extent of the bed shortfall at all public hospitals throughout the country with particular reference to addressing those hospitals which have been forced to utilise hospital trolleys in lieu of beds in the past five years; her plans to address the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24471/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 225 and 226 together.

There has been a significant increase in acute bed capacity in recent years. The average number of in-patient beds and day places in public acute hospitals has increased by approximately 1,200 since 2001, the year of the publication of the Health Strategy. The increase is continuing. In the current year the Health Service Executive has indicated that it has commissioned over 100 additional beds and day places across the following hospitals — Galway, Tullamore, St. Vincent's, and Wexford. This is part of the current National Development Plan which will provide an additional 458 public beds and day places overall. We are also creating a further 1,000 public beds through the building by the private sector of private hospitals on the sites of public hospitals, thereby freeing up additional beds for public patients. The provision of the 1,000 beds will result in no direct capital cost to the Exchequer as the capital costs will be met by the private sector.

Improving the delivery of Accident and Emergency services continues to be a top priority for the Government and the Health Service Executive. Our objectives are to further reduce the numbers waiting for admission, the time spent waiting for admission, and the turnaround time for those who not require admission. The Health Service Executive continues to report a significant reduction in the number of patients awaiting admission as compared with the same period 12 months ago.

The Health Service Executive has undertaken a review of future acute bed capacity requirements. This will enable it to plan for future needs based on evidence and international best practice.