David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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Can I come to some of the proposals and solutions? I accept there has been some progress but it is quite limited given the major increase that we have seen since 2015. We certainly have a long way to go to get anywhere near the Sláintecare targets.

I want to come to some of the solutions, because they are important. Of course, I welcome the rapid build plan for beds, and the 1,500 additional beds. We discussed that last week. Is anticipated that the Minister may bring something to Cabinet before next year's budget, or is this something that he intends to include in the budget this year, and not just the actual capital allocation? Is he satisfied that these beds can be built rapidly? I would see "rapidly" as a maximum of 18 months to two years. That is the kind of timeframe I would want to see them done within, because they are modular units. Is he satisfied that the staff to open those beds can be recruited? Will we see a plan not just for the beds, but also for staff?