Mr. Liam Woods:

I have today been reviewing the winter plans, which have been submitted to the HSE acute division. They will be considered at meetings this week and on Monday next. We are also working with our colleagues across divisions in primary care and services for older persons because there are key connections in those services.

We are compiling a report on the 300 beds and can make a copy for the committee. The Deputy asked us to identify locations. There are some 20 hospitals included and we will provide a list of those with the number of beds by site. The intention is that they will be open as early as possible and November is the target date. The Minister has flagged that there is to be funding from November for that.