Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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384. To ask the Minister for Health the number of additional beds he plans to open in each of the years 2018 to 2022; the estimated capital spend on opening these beds; the number of beds this would result in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22870/17]

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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385. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated number of additional hospital beds that will be provided by the capital investment programme; the timeframe and locations of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22871/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 384 and 385 together.

90 newly-opened additional hospital beds were delivered as part of the range of practical measures to address ED overcrowding implemented as part of the 2016/2017 Winter Initiative. 300 beds were delivered as part of the 2015/2016 Winter Initiative. The Department and the HSE are committed to utilising the key learning from the Winter Initiative to provide a framework around the preparation of similar initiatives in future years.

In line with the commitment made in the Programme for a Partnership Government, my Department has commenced the Health Service Capacity Review over recent weeks. This Review will have a wider scope than previous exercises and will examine key elements of primary and community care infrastructure in addition to hospital facilities. The Terms of Reference have been published on my Department’s website. While the review will consider capacity requirements over the next decade or so, I am also anxious that it also provides a short-term focus and determines how capital and other investment over the coming years can be best targeted, given the current pressures being experienced within our hospital services.

The review is being led by my Department and overseen by a Steering Group, which includes senior officials from my Department and the Departments of the Taoiseach and Public Expenditure and Reform, the HSE, and experts with a clinical and academic background. The Steering Group met for the first time in March, and is meeting again this month. Also, an independent peer group of international health experts has been established to review and validate the review methodology and findings. My Department has recently advertised a tender for technical, analytical and engagement expertise to assist in the Review process.

In addition, my Department is also working with the HSE and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to conduct a mid-term review of the capital programme. Future investment in healthcare infrastructure must be considered within the overall capital envelope available to the health service. The HSE will continue to apply the available funding for infrastructure development in the most effective way possible to meet current and future needs, having regard to the level of commitments and the costs to completion already in place.

I look forward to the emerging findings of these Reviews later this year.