David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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256. To ask the Minister for Health the current status of his plans to expedite the construction and opening of the proposed additional 1,500 rapid build of hospital beds; the number of construction companies which have provided expressions of interest in tendering for the construction of the capacity in the period proposed; the identity of the sites the Health Service Executive has identified as suitable to build the 1,500 hospital beds on, in tabular form; the timelines for the design, planning, tendering, completion of each of the building developments and the opening with appropriate staffing of the 1,500 beds on a site by site basis, in tabular form; when the Government will commit the funding for the additional 1,500 rapid build of hospital beds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25353/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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It is well recognised that additional hospital in-patient accommodation is required across a number of larger hospital sites to improve patient flow and reduce pressures on Emergency Departments (EDs). In response, the HSE is progressing opportunities for additional capacity, in blocks of 50-150, on a number of Model 3 and Model 4 hospital sites with 24/7 EDs, across the country. Supported by a demand and capacity analysis, the HSE are identifying sites that all have demonstrable bed pressure and lend themselves more readily to the rapid supply and installation of high specification, inpatient accommodation on a number of existing hospital sites.

In parallel to this site identification process and following publication of an expression of interest in March 2023, submissions were received from 18 national and international providers for the delivery of ward accommodation of up to 1,500 beds in total. These responses are now being assessed for suitability. It is proposed that design, manufacturing, site installation and commissioning would be completed on initial sites in circa 75 weeks from approval, with other sites following on a sequential basis thereafter.

To drive time and cost efficiencies, these projects will be delivered using standardised, repeatable design solutions, with standard schedules of accommodation, utilising off-site manufacturing approaches. While the primary requirement is likely to be inpatient accommodation, it may also include the provision of other hospital facilities such as theatres, critical care beds and staff accommodation, consistent with the approach signalled in the HSE Capital and Estates Strategy.

I am currently in discussions with Government colleagues to secure support and the necessary additional funding to expedite the rapid construction and delivery of the 1,500 additional acute beds across the country, using modern methods of construction, including modular construction. Details of the proposal will be confirmed as discussions progress.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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257. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to expedite the provision of additional step-down care and rehabilitation beds to reduce the number of delayed transfers of care patients, which consistently total approximately 600, in order to ensure the efficient use of hospital beds; the number of additional step-down care and rehabilitation beds funded and opened in each year since the start of 2020, in tabular form; the number of additional step-down care and rehabilitation beds planned to open in 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25354/23]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As these are operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.