Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 346: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of step-down beds here; the length of the waiting list for these beds on average for the past year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27225/08]

Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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I assume the Deputy is referring to step-down beds for rehabilitation, convalescence and respite care. That being the case, there are approximately 2,350 step-down beds for older people in operation nationally at present.

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to provide information on the waiting lists for step-down beds. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.