David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It has identified the need for 300 beds, but only about one third of those are in place. That is a common pattern. It is the same with specialist nurses, where we have one third, or perhaps even less, of what is needed. It is the same for the teams. The whole area is under-resourced. I go back to what I said at the start of the meeting, namely that there are real people behind that who need access to services they are not getting. Could the witnesses outline for us the importance of having those specialist beds for patients, particularly in view of the fact that we only have one third of the number required? Why is it important that those beds are delivered? What would the mean for those with neurological conditions?