Mr. Bernard Gloster:

We are in the invidious position of having to balance the time it takes to develop those resources and the need that is at the door today. In respect of the elective hospitals, as Deputy Lahart has pointed out, that is the strategy to move on in terms of the capacity. In the shorter term, and in response to the Deputy saying that no new beds are available, I can only build what has been funded to date and we are doing that. Mr. Sullivan can talk about what is left to be built and finished out this year.

The real plan, which is not in the service plan yet because we have to seek the Government approval on which it depends, is for 1,500 beds in the public system. I cannot plan to build those unless that plan is approved and funded by the Government.