Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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887. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the reopening of a ward (details supplied); when the ward will reach full capacity; the efforts being made for the reopening as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19417/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Health, I recognise that hospitals are increasingly operating at or above capacity, with year-round demand pressures that are further challenged over the winter months.

It is against this background that the Health Service Capacity Review 2018 recommended an increase in acute hospital beds of over 2,600 by 2031 to support the projected increase in demand for services in the years ahead. The National Development Plan 2018-2027 provides for the full 2,600 beds over its lifetime.

The HSE Winter Plan included funding for the opening of 5 acute inpatient beds in Letterkenny University Hospital.

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