John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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347. To ask the Minister for Health the number of delayed discharges in each public and voluntary hospital at the end of December 2020; and the total number in 2020 for each public or voluntary hospital in tabular form. [3059/21]

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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348. To ask the Minister for Health the number of bed days lost in each public and voluntary hospital owing to delayed discharges in 2020, in tabular form. [3060/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 347 and 348 together.

A delayed transfer of care occurs when a patient has been deemed clinically fit for discharge from an acute bed but their discharge is delayed because they are waiting for some form of ongoing support or care following their discharge. There are many reasons for this, such as a patient undertaking the application process for NHSS, awaiting assessment for a home support package, homelessness, ward of court application, and the availability of other health care or social care resources.

With regard to the Deputy's specific questions on the numbers of patients with delayed transfers of care and the associated numbers of bed days lost, in each public and voluntary hospital, I have asked the HSE to respond directly with the requested information.