John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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40. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the 96% increase in overcrowding in St Luke’s hospital, Kilkenny in January 2018 relative to January 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6436/18]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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52. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the 49% increase in overcrowding in Mullingar hospital in January 2018 relative to January 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6440/18]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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54. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the 38% increase in overcrowding in Cork University Hospital in January 2018 relative to January 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6442/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 40, 52 and 54 together.

Tackling overcrowding in Emergency Departments (EDs) is a key commitment of the Government. Accordingly, €30 million in additional funding in 2017, and a further €40 million in 2018, has been made available to manage the expected peak in demand for our health services over the winter period and to strengthen capacity moving forward.

Since the start of this winter, 170 additional beds haven been opened nationally, in St Vincent’s University Hospital, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda, University Hospital Limerick, University Hospital Galway, Beaumont Hospital Dublin, St. James Hospital Dublin, the Mater Hospital Dublin and in Naas General Hospital.

Building further on the learning from the Health Systems Capacity Review, and as part of planning for Winter 2018/2019, my Department is working closely with the HSE to identify where additional bed capacity can be brought on stream as early as possible in 2018, with a view to supporting patient flow within our Acute Hospitals and alleviating the level of overcrowding the system is currently experiencing.

I am advised by the HSE that hospitals are currently working with their respective Hospital Groups to address overcrowding being experienced in EDs. In relation to the particular queries raised, as these are service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputies.