Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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444. To ask the Minister for Health the reason that the HSE chose not to include the mid-west region for any additional acute, subacute and ICU beds for 2022 as part of the 411 beds allocated nationally as part of the national service planning programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21806/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Government provided funding to open an additional 1,146 acute inpatient beds, excluding critical care over the number available at the end of 2019 by the end of 2021. An additional 6 beds were subsequently added in the Mater bringing the total to 1,152, of which 150 were for UL Hospital Group. This was in line with the Programme for Government which commits to providing additional bed capacity to meet challenges presented by Covid and the health needs of the population. All of the 160 (general and critical care) beds planned for the UL Hospital Group were delivered by the end of 2021.

339 beds of the total 1,152 remain to be delivered this year but all the Limerick beds were delivered as planned. These 339 form the bulk of the beds referred to in the question.

The additional beds provided in the UL HG are:

- The 60-bed modular ward block at UHL which opened at the end of 2020.

- Two separate rapid-build projects which delivered 38 beds to UHL under the Government National Action Plan in Response to Covid-19.

- 10 ‘virtual ward’ beds were provided to UHL.

- Croom Orthopaedic Hospital opened 24 beds.

- St John’s Hospital opened a 15 bed Clinical Support and Recovery Unit.

- Nenagh Hospital opened 3 beds. 

- In addition 10 critical care beds were provided in University Hospital Limerick, as part of the Strategic Plan for Critical Care.

A new €2m Injury Unit opened in Ennis on 8th April 2022 increasing the number of patient assessment bays from 3 to 5 for minor injuries such as sprains, breaks and burns. 

Future plans for Limerick include provision for a 96-bed replacement ward block at UHL. The evaluation of tenders received has been completed. The award of a works contract was approved by the HSE Board on 25th March 2022. The Capital & Estates department of the HSE will now be engaging with the successful bidder.