Mr. Martin Varley:

To comment on what Deputies Kelly and O'Reilly said about capacity, I agree that the NTPF is a short-term solution to a crisis situation. The issue is the lack of capacity and we were quite heartened by the fact that the NDP has provided funding for an additional 2,600 beds but we are concerned that we are not seeing the annual plans to commission those beds. With a lead time of seven years to get a bed in place from beginning to end in the health service, I am concerned that we will not see the 2,600 within a reasonable timeframe. My one big ask of the committee is to request the HSE and the Minister to put on paper the timeframe for the 2,600 beds. They are funded. We just need them put in place. That would be a big start. If we could get certainty on that number, people would be encouraged that we might be able to put a dent in the number of patients on trolleys and on waiting lists. We hope progress can be made on that and we would welcome progress.