82 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children the breakdown by health board of the 650 additional beds he plans to have in place for 2002. [30924/01]

The Government has decided in the context of the new health strategy entitled, Quality and Fairness: A Health System for You, to provide an additional 3,000 beds in acute hospitals over the next ten years. A total of 650 of these beds will be in place by the end of 2002. The breakdown by region of these beds is being finalised in consultation with the health boards and the ERHA.