Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 1 May 1990

Vol. 398 No. 1

Written Answers. - Beds for Geriatrics.

Edward Nealon

Question:

196 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Health the formula used by his Department in calculating the number of geriatric beds to each health board area; and the number officially allocated each year since 1980 to the North-Western Health Board area.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

The Working Party on Services for the Elderly The Years Ahead — A Policy for the Elderly recommended planning norms for beds for the care of the elderly which have been accepted by my Department for planning purposes.

It is a matter for each health board to decide on the number and type of beds for the elderly in the light of national norms and local needs. The number of beds for the elderly managed by the NWHB each year since 1980 is: 1980, 846; 1981, 888; 1982, 884; 1983, 875; 1984, 910; 1985, 910; 1986, 905; 1987, 986; 1988, 984; 1989, 973.