Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 393: To ask the Minister for Health if he will secure and advise the number of inpatient acute hospital beds across our public hospital network; the number of day case beds across our public hospital network in each of the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 and to date in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16542/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The national average number of acute hospital beds and day places available in public hospitals for the years 2006 - 2010 is set out in the following tables. 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. This data includes acute psychiatric beds.

The HSE has indicated that the latest year in respect of which national data on the average available acute hospital beds and day places has been compiled is 2010. The data for 2010 is provisional and is subject to validation.

The emphasis for the HSE in 2011 continues to be to make the most effective use of acute bed capacity through shorter length of stay, increased rates of day-of-surgery admission and more day surgery. In this way the acute hospital system can ensure that, within the level of resources available, it facilitates the maximum number of patients with safe, effective and efficient care.

Available In-Patient Beds 2006 -2010

Available Day Case Beds 2006 -2010

# Data for 2006, 2007 and 2008 - Health in Ireland Statistics - Key Trends

* Data for 2009 and 2010 supplied by BIU - HSE (Data for 2010 is provisional)