James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of the 1,500 public only hospital beds promised in the programme for Government that have been provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34317/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Programme for Government includes a commitment to provide an additional 1,500 public acute hospital beds. Approximately 1,000 of these will be provided through the co-location initiative and the balance through the Health Service Executive's (HSE's) capital plan, which is part of the National Development Plan. The co-location initiative aims to deliver approximately 1,000 of these beds for public patients through the development of private hospitals on public sites. The intention is to transfer private activity to those hospitals thereby freeing up capacity for public patients. The Board of the Health Service Executive (HSE) has approved preferred bidder status for the development of co-located hospitals at the following six sites:

Beaumont Hospital,

Cork University Hospital,

Limerick Regional Hospital,

St. James's Hospital,

Waterford Regional Hospital and

Sligo General Hospital.

Project Agreements for the Beaumont, Cork and Limerick sites have been signed. The necessary preparatory work for Project Agreements in respect of St. James's Hospital, Waterford Regional Hospital and Sligo General Hospital is proceeding.

Connolly Hospital and Tallaght Hospital, which are also participating in the co-location initiative, are at an earlier stage of the procurement process. A tender in respect of Connolly Hospital has been received and is under consideration. Work is being undertaken to finalise the Invitation to Tender (ITT) for Tallaght Hospital.

In 2007 the HSE commissioned an independent review of acute bed capacity requirements for Ireland until the year 2020. The report produced reaffirms the case for continuing to increase our focus on a primary and community care model. The review recommended that Ireland develop an Integrated Model of Care system. This overall strategic direction has already been adopted by other developed countries, such as Denmark and Canada. The review forms a basis for discussion with key stakeholders on how best to plan for the provision of public health care to 2020.

My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to furnish the Deputy with the specific information requested on progress on the additional public acute hospital beds and day places being provided under the Executive's capital programme.