Ms Phil Ní Sheaghdha:

I will answer the question on neurology and beds. There is a requirement for additional specialist nursing in a lot of chronic disease management but neurology is particularly remarkable. Unfortunately, the level of diagnosis in that area is increasing. Certainly, there is a need.

On bed numbers and what we believe is necessary, the Sláintecare report sets out that we will need increased inpatient beds but will not need as many if we get the community piece right. We advocate getting that piece right, doing it quickly and looking at the acute bed increases set out in the capacity report.

In respect of the areas that have been reconfigured, we have had the mid-west reconfiguration, which saw a reduction in beds in Nenagh and Ennis and in the times they are open, especially in their emergency departments. We need to look at whether that was the right model. When we did not increase the bed numbers in Dooradoyle, it clearly was not. We need to look at what is needed, given the increased population and need and the slowness in implementing community change. We will not prescribe it here. We are saying we need an independent review to examine that matter.