Ms Angela Fitzgerald:

The operating hours, as I understand it, have been extended and they have looked at supporting those with ambulance transfers. It is important to say that, for those patients who need to be admitted, they still require to be admitted in an appropriate unit. To answer the Deputy's question, the Limerick and mid-west region does a good job in using the minor injury units. We understand form the Department that there are 114 additional beds planned for the model 2s and we would support that because, with the demographic growth, there will be a larger proportion of people who are appropriately going to those areas. If that can be brought on quickly, we would very much support that. That was a near-time plan developed by the Government in consultation with the HSE. There are 114 beds planned for those minor injury units that are existing units and skilled in doing what they do.