Ms Angela Fitzgerald:

Deputy McGettigan also made a point about the management and leadership in Limerick. In Mr. Egan's regulatory process, it is one of the first things we look at. Every inspection is governance and management because typically, when you have systemic failures, it starts there.

It is fair to say, not just since Ms Broderick came but in the period when we have had intensive focus on Limerick, our reports show that while there are challenges in governance and management, the indicators of good governance and management have been there. The separate piece around whether we are doing everything with what we have is part of that. It is part of leadership and management. It is important we acknowledge Ms Broderick, Mr. Carter and other people working down there in very challenging circumstances. We have met very dedicated staff. I know some of the people who have retired and their commitment to the hospital. It is important we acknowledge that here today.

Deputy Quinlivan's question is broadly around what other options we can look at in the short term. We raised that in the advices. We looked specifically at long-term care and step-down care requirements in the review and how Limerick compares with other sites. It actually compares very favourably. The number of delayed transfers of care is typically lower than in other areas. That does not mean fewer people need it. It probably means Limerick is very efficient and effective at managing it. The Deputy's point is well made, however. It is one of the areas we will continue to look at.

The ESRI has also published future projections for long-term and step-down requirement. The Deputy is absolutely right-----