David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have produced my own plan and I sent a copy to the Minister's office. I appreciate there needs to be a winter plan but, with respect, the question I am asking is what are the options for increasing bed capacity. While we need more investment in primary care, while there are more supports for people with disabilities and while we need to do more in nursing homes, I am dealing specifically with acute hospital beds. The Minister cannot give me the figure of exactly how many beds will be lost, but surely he has an idea about how he is going to replace that capacity.