Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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93. To ask the Minister for Health the reason 519 persons over 75 years of age waited more than 24 hours in the emergency departments of Beaumont and the Mater Hospitals during the first two months of 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17106/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Against a background of growing demand for unscheduled care and high acute hospital occupancy rates, Government provided €30 million in 2017 and a further €40 million in 2018 for measures to increase acute hospital capacity and alleviate overcrowding in Emergency Departments (EDs). Almost 50% of this funding was used to deliver home support packages and transitional care beds to reduce the incidence of delayed discharges. Furthermore, over 200 beds have been opened this winter and more beds are due to come on stream later in the year.

Notwithstanding the increased level of resources provided, this winter has been particularly difficult for our health services with ED attendances up 3.7%, admissions up 3.3% and trolleys up 13.1% during the first quarter of the year, as compared to the same period in 2017. In addition, ED attendances by patients 75 years and older rose by 5.9% and admissions by 7% in the same period.

In relation to the specific issue raised by the Deputy regarding waiting times at Beaumont and the Mater Hospital Emergency Departments, as this is a service matter, I have referred it to the HSE for a direct response.