James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 322: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of hospital beds, both public and private, for each of the years 1997 to end 2009 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15056/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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The national average number of acute hospital beds available in public hospitals for each of the years 1997 - 2007 broken down by public, private and non designated is set out in the attached tabular statement. Acute bed numbers in public hospitals are counted as an average of beds available over each year, given that the number of beds available in each hospital can vary over any year for operational reasons. 2007 is the latest year in respect of which validated data has been compiled by the HSE. The data includes both in patient beds and day places.

The process of validating comparable data for 2008 has not been finalised by the HSE, due to industrial action. It is, therefore, not possible for the information to be furnished at this time.

Publicly Funded Acute Hospitals

Average number of beds available for use

1997 - 2007

Notes: (i) Figures refer to the average number of beds available for use over the year taking beds that were temporarily closed or opened into account.

(ii) Source 1997 -2005 Department of Health and Children, Integrated Management Returns

(iii) Source 2006 -2007 National Hospitals Office, PMU- Validated MDR's