Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In a post-pandemic context, we all realise the importance of ICU beds. It is good to know we have this type of flexibility, because who knows what we may be facing in future? Another small aspect in the overall context, but a major one for the patients going into the facility, is that I am conscious it is an all-Ireland facility. In this context, accommodation for nurses was mentioned. There are also facilities to allow parents to stay in situations where children may be seriously ill. There is a major challenge, however, with hotel beds. I have come across people looking after loved ones in hospital who were sleeping in their cars. I refer to the cost of parking as well. This is not just an issue in the context of parents going to the hospital but also for the staff coming from other hospitals. Has this aspect been explored?

On the additional footfall that will be going into the hospital, and the associated requirement for additional buses and extra Luas trams, in the overall context of how people will be able to get to and from the site, have discussions in this regard been ongoing? We would like to think so. Is part of the plan concerned with how it will be possible to get people in and out of the hospital in a safe and orderly manner? I refer to those people who will be working in and visiting the hospital, as well as the patients who will be using it.