Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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71. To ask the Minister for Health if approval will be forthcoming for a request for additional funding of €1.8 million from Letterkenny University Hospital to enable it to open an additional 20 bed ward and staff it appropriately in order to address an issue with persons waiting on trolleys for hospital admission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27817/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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In the light of the conclusions of the Health Service Capacity Review that the system will need nearly 2,600 additional acute hospital beds by 2031, 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 in this regard from the HSE is currently under consideration by my Department, which includes proposals from Saolta Hospital Group in relation to opening additional capacity at Letterkenny University Hospital.