Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

On St. James' interest in the Mount Carmel facility, I asked specifically about HSE discussions with NAMA that had not been advised to St. James’s. I have been advised that the HSE voices endeavoured to present themselves as speaking for St. James’s. There is a serious matter there.

I have asked the Minister whether he will address this matter and explore the detail of this with NAMA, the HSE and St. James's Hospital. Will the Minister inform himself in respect of the interest of St. James's Hospital specifically allied to the development of the new national children's hospital and be supportive of any interest that St. James's Hospital would have in the Mount Carmel facility?

In his address, the Minister said "we would endeavour to support staff in their efforts to find alternative employment." How is that being done? What type of supports are being offered to staff who had formerly worked in Mount Carmel and now find themselves out of employment? Does the Minister have the facts regarding the staff who have already been offered employment in other hospitals? How many of them are there? What hospitals are we talking about? It would be very informative and worthwhile to share that with the committee.