David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

If Dr. Sisson and Mr. Woods read the submissions the trade unions made to the committee, they will see they are calling for the HSA to have a much greater role in occupational health issues in healthcare settings. They should examine this and support the recommendations they have made.

My final question for Mr. Woods goes back to a discussion we had earlier this week. All unions were very strong on the need for additional capacity in acute beds, rehabilitative care beds and more physical infrastructure, and retaining the capacity we have. When will the HSE publish a comprehensive plan on increasing overall capacity in our system? We all know we face a major challenge in dealing with Covid care, non-Covid care, all the infection-control measures, public health guidelines and the need for catch-up programmes. We have the winter flu coming at us. We have the potential of an increase in Covid if it happens. It is a perfect storm that requires a plan. Will Mr. Woods explain to us when we will see the bones of this plan that will outline all the additional capacity that will be put in place to make sure we can at least keep up, if not catch up, with all of the missed care?