Mr. Liam Woods:

The number of people reported to be on trolleys in Limerick this morning is 35 but I believe the Senator is also referring to the surge capacity being used in Limerick, which increases that number. Of course, this is a matter of concern to us, as it is to the group. The group itself is undertaking work to look at the key drivers of that but the emergency department in Limerick has been extremely busy with regard to the volume of attendance and, more so than anywhere else, it has remained so throughout the pandemic. In recent weeks, its level of attendances has really only been exceeded by the Mater. It has that challenge at the front door. Things are happening that can happen in the short term to assist with that. Where there are any delayed transfers of care that can move, we have been seeking to support that movement to create better flow through the hospital. The community has been supporting Dooradoyle, in particular, on that. There are also some front-door initiatives seeking to use more of the pathfinder service, a service provided by the ambulance service, and to use the hospitals in Ennis and Nenagh for step-down to the greatest extent possible. The four new theatres in Croom Orthopaedic Hospital have opened and very good work is being done there on the access to care side, which we have touched on.