Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator very much for his kind comments on the vaccine programme and other aspects of reform. I am bringing a memo to Government tomorrow. The Senator will appreciate that I cannot discuss the details of that. What I can say, though, is that I fully acknowledge there is a need for more inpatient beds in Galway. The capacity in Galway needs to be increased. A very ambitious plan is in place, on which the Senator and I have been corresponding, in terms of an emergency department block and additional facilities that would be part of that block. There is an ongoing discussion about whether those inpatient beds are best deployed to a model 4 hospital or an elective-only hospital. That is a live debate.

I cannot say too much before I discuss it at Cabinet tomorrow. However, I can wholeheartedly support the core assurance I think the Senator is looking for, that being that more inpatient beds are required.