Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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455. To ask the Minister for Health the number of beds and wards in all public and voluntary acute hospitals that were closed on 28 November 2018 or the latest date on which data for validated bed closures at hospital and ward level are available, in tabular form. [50909/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, information relating to closed beds is collated at a particular date in time. The number of beds closed can fluctuate greatly over time due to, amongst other reasons, on-going refurbishment, maintenance work and infection control measures.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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456. To ask the Minister for Health the number of bed days lost through delayed discharges in each public and voluntary hospital to date in 2018, in tabular from. [50910/18]

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Ensuring that patients who are clinically fit to leave hospital but require support including in the form of home care packages, transitional care or indeed a nursing home bed, can leave hospital without delay is a key priority this Winter. I will be working closely with community health organisations throughout the winter to ensure that this happens.

A key component of the Winter Plan is the provision of an additional 550 home care packages over the winter period to help patients return home from hospital with the supports they need.

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly with the data requested.