Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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923. To ask the Minister for Health the measures that will be taken to address the problems of overcrowding in the emergency department of University Hospital Limerick in view of the fact that it consistently tops the list of the hospitals with the most persons awaiting beds in the country; when a decision will be made on the provision and staffing of a 60-bed modular unit to provide extra beds in the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36717/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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In the light of the Health Service Capacity Review, which recommends 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 which could be frontloaded in 2018 and into 2019 and 2020 to alleviate overcrowding in our hospital Emergency Departments.

My Department has received proposals from the HSE, which identify in the region of 600 additional acute beds and 270 additional residential care beds to be phased in between 2018 and 2020. These proposals are being considered by my Department and I can confirm that the proposals include the provision of a 60-bed modular unit in University Hospital Limerick.