Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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389. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 378 of 27 February 2018, when a comprehensive schedule of additional bed locations will be determined throughout the State for the additional 2,600 acute beds provided for under the National Development Plan 2018-2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27870/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Health, I am committed to continuing the effort to address overcrowding in our Emergency Departments, and in particular, the capacity of the system to respond during periods of peak demand.

In this context, I have asked my Department to work with the HSE to identify the location and mix of beds across the hospital system, which can be opened and staffed this year and into 2019 in order to improve preparedness for Winter 2018/2019.A submission received from the HSE in this regard is currently under consideration by my Department.