Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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714. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 1446, 1447 and 1448 of 14 June 2022, if he will follow up with the HSE as to the reason that detailed responses were not issued; if he will seek an explanation as to the reason that detailed replies did not issue in relation to these questions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39048/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In relation to the Parliamentary Questions the Deputy refers to, I have been advised by the HSE that answers to the PQs referred to the HSE were sent to the Deputy on 10th June 2022 addressing the issues raised.

This information provided in response to the three PQs is included below for ease of reference.

The Government is committed to addressing the long-standing deficit in critical care capacity. Very significant funding of €77 million has been provided by Government across 2021 and 2022, to increase national capacity to 340 critical care beds by 2023. The HSE has advised that 51 of these beds are now open, bringing permanent adult critical care capacity to 306 beds, from a baseline of 255 beds in early 2020.

The Strategic Plan for Critical Care, which I brought to Government in December 2020 will, when implemented fully address the recommendation of the 2018 Health Service Capacity Review for 430 critical care beds by 2031. In fact, it surpasses that recommendation, delivering an increase in capacity to 446 over time.

Importantly, capacity expansion in critical care is focused on the larger “hub” hospitals, in line with the clinical advice and hub and spoke model of care for critical care. The funding provided in 2021 and 2022 has allowed for the opening of eight additional critical care beds in Saolta University Health Care Group, including six beds in University Hospital Galway, one in Sligo University Hospital and one in Letterkenny University Hospital.

The provision of additional critical care capacity in accordance with the hub-and-spoke model of care also reflects the overall strategic direction of Sláintecare - delivery of the right care, in the right place at the right time.

As advised in correspondence sent by the HSE in reply to the previous PQs, renovation works in the ICU in Mayo University Hospital are to be incorporated into the overall hospital development control plan. Currently, preparatory work for the implementation of a clinical IT system for the ICU is underway.

I have asked the HSE to forward to you any additional relevant information, if available, on these clinical IT system preparatory works in the ICU in Mayo University Hospital.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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715. To ask the Minister for Health the interest that there has been to date in relation to a building owned by the HSE (details supplied); if the HSE has sought interest from Government Departments; if this has led to any meaningful talks; the plans that the HSE has for the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39054/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.