Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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371. To ask the Minister for Health the overall annual average length of stay for Irish hospitals over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44717/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Average length of stay (ALOS) refers to the average number of days that patients spend in hospital and is often used as an indicator of efficiency.

According to the OECD Health at a Glance (2015), in 2013 the average length of stay in hospitals for all causes across OECD countries was 8.1 days. The 2013 OECD data show that the average length of stay in Irish hospitals was 6 days, less than the OECD average. In addition, the OECD data indicate improvements in efficiency in Irish hospitals between 2010 and 2013, with the average length of stay in Irish hospitals decreasing from 7.4 days in 2010 to 6 days in 2013.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.