Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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500. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the provision of additional high dependency unit beds in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30683/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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501. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the provision of additional high dependency unit beds in Cork University Hospital. [30684/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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502. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the provision of an additional 30 bed ward in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. [30685/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Health Service Capacity Review published last year was clear on the need for a major investment in additional capacity in both hospital and community – combined with a widescale reform of the manner and the location of where health services are provided.

As set out in Sláintecare, moving care options for patients closer to their homes and into their local communities is a key part of the solution. In addition, community services are not sufficient to meet the demand, and this is placing additional pressure on hospital services.

An additional 267 acute hospital beds opened under the Winter Initiative 2017/2018, and the National Service Plan for 2019 provides for a comprehensive capacity programme.

The number of available inpatient beds is expected to increase to above 11,000 following the investment planned in the National Service Plan 2019.

In relation to the particular query raised about additional capacity at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda, as this is a service matter, I have asked to HSE to reply to you directly.

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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503. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the provision of a 40 bed modular ward block in South Tipperary General Hospital. [30686/19]

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 hospitals beds of over 2,600 by 2031 to support the projected increase in demand for services in the years ahead.

An additional 267 acute hospital beds opened under the Winter Initiative 2017/2018, and the National Service Plan for 2019 provides for a comprehensive capacity programme. The number of available inpatient beds is expected to increase to above 11,000 following the investment planned in the National Service Plan 2019.

Increasing capacity is therefore a priority for the Government. The opening of the modular build at South Tipperary General Hospital is included in the HSE's National Service Plan for 2019 and necessary capital funding is in place for the delivery of the project.

In relation to the particular query raised about the provision of a 40-bed modular build in South Tipperary General Hospital, as this is a service matter, I have asked to HSE to reply to you directly.