Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Rabbitte asked me what is different about what we are doing now. We have put in place a range of activities and measures, including the provision of high-dependency beds — which the Tánaiste has announced — intermediate care beds in private nursing homes, additional beds in public nursing homes, 3,000 home care packages and enhanced subventions. This has already facilitated 1,500 patients to leave acute hospitals.

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