David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The committee obviously needs to agree to it but it would be important for it to write to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Health about the need to resolve this issue, and we have said it to the HSE. There needs to be negotiations to bring this to an end because it is going to have a big impact on acute services. Already we are hearing about the possible cancellation of procedures, which is unacceptable. We all want it to be resolved.

In regard to Sláintecare, which is covered in page 16 of the HSE National Service Plan 2022, central to any plan are targets, timeframes, resources to ensure we can achieve the targets that are set and meet the timeframes as well as planning and proper supports and processes to realise targets. Taking some of the big ticket items in Sláintecare, what is the timeframe for completion of removing private healthcare from public hospitals?