Ms Anne O'Connor:

The Chairman correctly pointed out that we have been challenged in recent years, not just during the Covid-19 pandemic, with regard to capacity in the mid-west. We have been working closely with the various sites to scale up capacity. It is important to note that in University Hospital Limerick, in particular, we have new capacity coming on stream. We have the sports arena that opened for a short-term bridging period but we have additional beds opening on the site of the main hospital over the coming months. That will make a significant difference to that area. As part of our planning for winter and for next year, we have done an extensive modelling exercise that shows the impact of all of the different proposed investments. The beds that are coming on stream are expected to make a significant difference in that area. Clinicians in the area are also committed to looking at what initiatives can be driven in a more integrated way. That part of the country could be used as an example for good integrated working between community and acute services.