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

I acknowledge that work and appreciate what I have seen first-hand in my constituency. However, the consequence of meeting the HIQA requirements has translated into a reduction in the actual number of beds available at these settings. We are not building into the redesign plan further additional bed provision. In the case of the unit in Castleblayney, which the Minister has cited, the number is going down from 76 to 70 as a result of meeting the requirement. People may suggest that is only a reduction of six, but if we add up similar changes across the list that the Minister has read, it amounts to a considerable number and it all contributes to the delayed discharge figures. Those undertaking these works have people on-site and know the design costs and so on. If the facility and the footprint allow for additional provision, then that is what should be undertaken. The time to do that is now, when there are people on-site carrying out works. It should be incorporated into the work being undertaken.