Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 29: To ask the Minister for Health the action he will take to address overcrowding in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26382/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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Question 30: To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Health Service Executive plans to close 59 public inpatient beds in County Mayo; if he will intervene to prevent these closures and to ensure the provision of resources to allow them to remain open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26386/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Deputy will appreciate that all developments have to be addressed in the light of the current economic and budgetary pressures and any decisions taken by the executive must have regard to this and the current moratorium on the recruitment of nursing and non-nursing staff. Each HSE area, including the Local Health Office in Mayo has been asked to make a rigorous examination of how existing funding might be re-allocated to ensure maximum service provision. In particular we need to ensure that the highest standard of care will continue to be provided to all residents in a safe and secure environment.

The Department is currently considering the future of HSE Provision of Residential Care for Older People. This review will consider the position of all HSE residential facilities for Older People in terms of meeting the National Standards and Regulations. It will also consider local demographic pressures and the extent of existing public and private provision, with a view to developing an overall strategy on how the executive should continue to provide this service in view of current budgetary and other pressures. I should make it clear, however, that providing quality and safe care for our long-stay residents will have to remain at the heart of these considerations.