Mr. Stephen Mulvany:

If one accepts that only one trolley, only one person awaiting admission, is too many, there will be a number of years where, during the year, particularly at wintertime, we will have a level of additional pressure on the system. That pressure will be measured by the number on trolleys and surge beds or what the INMO figures will show. That is, unfortunately, a reality.

The process to build beds is a long one. Again, this is not just about beds; it is also a process of improvement and structural issues. Those will make a difference but, fundamentally, the size and shape of the system, as we have said, is wrong. Sláintecare has recognised that and Government investment is tracking that but, as Dr. Henry said, we are kind of playing catch-up. We are seeking to catch up with a population which is ahead of us in terms of its ageing. Even in that 2018 bed capacity review we and the Department did, the levels of population growth since that was done have exceeded the estimated levels. We are therefore playing catch-up in terms of capacity, process improvement and, obviously, our need to implement Sláintecare. The reality is that we have, unfortunately, a number of years of extra pressure in the system, measured in terms of trolley rates, ahead of us until we can get ahead of those things.