Mr. Liam Woods:

I thank the Deputy. We are preparing our winter plan in the consciousness of Covid. One of the witnesses this morning summed it up very well by saying the system needs more staff, equipment and space. This is precisely what we are looking to optimise as we move into winter. We are also looking at how and where care is provided. With regard to the Deputy's question on when, there is a process within the HSE that subsequently will involve the Minister. The question of the timing of publication of such a plan is a question that is ahead of us but we are doing it now and we expect we will conclude it within the coming weeks.