Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will respond first and then Mr. Reid will comment. I appreciate Deputy Kelly saying that he does not want to make this political and that he has made it a plea for the mid-west. In the interests of fairness I want to note that Senators Maria Byrne and Kieran O'Donnell and Deputy Michael Harty, who also represent the region, are here. This is a massive issue for the people of the mid-west. I have shown a willingness to respond to it. The issue which all of the members have asked me to advance first is bed capacity. They have also asked that in advance of any capital plan being published, we proceed with the 60-bed modular unit. I agree. It would be nice if it had opened yesterday or even today. We could have done with it opening yesterday. However, it is now well under way.

Members have asked, above and beyond that, what more can I do. In other words, while we are waiting for the extra capacity to come on stream what more can I do in regard to transitional care and the MRI scanner. I am due to meet tomorrow with the HSE and officials of my Department in regard to the mid-west, where I will consider all of the issues that have been raised by my Oireachtas colleagues. I will ask Mr. Reid to comment now.