asked the Minister for Health the Dublin hospitals which can take routine admissions other than through accident and emergency.

37.

asked the Minister for Health the plans he has to cope with the critical shortage of beds in the Dublin area which means that in most hospitals only emergency cases can be admitted.

50.

asked the Minister for Health if he has received a report from the committee he appointed last year to review the accident and emergency services in the Dublin area; if so, if he will outline the contents of this report; if this committee drew attention to the serious shortage of public beds in the health system in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 23, 37 and 50 together. All major hospitals in Dublin admit non-emergency patients. Six of these hospitals participate in the accident and emergency service for the Dublin area on a rota basis. However, even in these six hospitals around 50 per cent of their admissions are other than through the accident and emergency department.

The steering committee on accident and emergency services in Dublin is examining the problems associated with this service, including the unpredictable nature of accident and emergency admissions. This committee is in constant touch with officials of my Department on these issues with a view to resolving them in the most effective manner.

An indication of the throughput of the major Dublin hospitals can be gained from the following information.

1988

* Does not include Beaumont.