Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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343. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 347 of 20 April 2016, the steps which will be taken to deal with the lack of beds in the intensive care unit in University College Hospital Galway. [8454/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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As part of the winter planning additional capacity as agreed in July 2015, additional beds were proposed for Galway University Hospital (GUH) and these have now all been opened. These comprise a new 30 bed emergency ward and 14 new rehabilitation beds at Merlin Park Hospital. In the context of ongoing improvements in GUH, this results in a current net gain to the Galway hospital system of 27.

The HSE Capital Plan 2016 includes funding for a full option appraisal and Cost Benefit Analysis to inform planning and funding requirements for a new ED at GUH. A cost benefit analysis in relation to a new ED in GUH is currently underway and it is anticipated that this will be completed in spring 2016. If favourable, this will go to design phase later in 2016.

Construction work is also ongoing on the new 75 bed ward block which will provide single room in-patient accommodation and aid in relieving congestion. The building works are due to be finished in December 2016, with wards equipped and staffed in spring 2017.

In relation to the particular query raised, 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.