Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is still a very high number of locums in real terms. If long-term planning is done, this issue can be dealt with.

I will move on to the issue of planning for the winter months and the demand for beds. We have already heard from the private hospitals about engagement being too late. They are now talking about a three-year plan. What is the status of that and the issue with nursing homes and step-down facilities? As we speak, my understanding is that there are between 500 and 600 people in hospitals who should have been discharged. They are ready for discharge but there is neither a step-down facility or a care plan available for them once they leave the hospital? Where is the HSE in dealing with that for the winter months?