Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

——raised by the Deputy. The ten-point plan the HSE has drawn up in conjunction with the Department is under way. The HSE has now put its own action team into the key accident and emergency departments to try to assist by talking to management and staff with a view to bringing this proposal to fruition as quickly as possible. Some of these matters can happen quickly, others cannot. There was a meeting of the health committee last week at which the HSE outlined to the members of Government on that committee the type of actions it is trying to implement. The proposals to put additional beds into wards or open up other beds are nothing new. In some hospitals additional beds are put into wards. That was the traditional way of dealing with accident and emergency crises. It tends not to be done now because of staff objections, which I can understand. Health and safety issues may arise also. Where beds can be made available, particularly those adjacent to accident and emergency departments, they are looking at trying to do that. In fact, they are examining all measures on the ground with the management of the hospital, the medical executives and the hospital executives of any area, that they believe can help the nursing staff. That is being done on a one to one basis in hospitals. The solution in one hospital may not be the appropriate solution in another. They are working with the staff to find solutions.

Deputy Kenny asked about the Health and Safety Authority, which has completed its programme of inspections. Everything the authority has recommended is being implemented as quickly as possible. While there are no further risks, there is enough to address in the current issues. All of the other measures I have outlined in recent weeks, especially the sourcing of suitable accommodation for people who do not need acute beds but who cannot go home, are being implemented as are the health care packages. While all of these initiatives are under way, it will take some time to complete the process. In Cork, Blanchardstown and other hospitals in which they have been provided, new facilities are operating fairly well.

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