278 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans, in view of the fact that private nursing homes provide 96% of beds in north Dublin, for highly dependent patients whose nursing care needs are beyond the scope of the private nursing homes sector and often remain in acute hospital beds for prolonged periods of time. [8477/07]

279 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Health and Children the cost to patients or their families of the discharge initiative beds; the duration of payment for each discharge initiative bed; if patients are means tested prior to discharge to the discharge initiative bed; her views on whether the discharge initiative scheme in itself is contributory to long term care and discharge problems at Beaumont Hospital. [8478/07]

281 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans, in view of the fact that one in six beds at Beaumont Hospital is occupied by patients waiting for long-term care or discharge, for this group of patients; if she will introduce a sixth discharge initiative, following the previous five discharge initiatives between August 2005 and December 2006; if this represents value for money; and her views on whether this is the long term solution for patients in Beaumont Hospital awaiting long term care or discharge. [8480/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 278, 279 and 281 together.

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issues raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

280 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to provide a day hospital and multi-disciplinary team at Beaumont Hospital which would prevent nursing home patients going through accident and emergency thereby allowing these patients maintain their maximum level of independence and dignity. [8479/07]

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issue raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.