Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

I am confused by the Deputy's response. He asked me what it would cost to convert these beds to public beds. The cost for 85 beds in the ten hospitals would come to just under €90 million. It must be remembered all nurses and staff are paid from the public purse. I have a problem with the taxpayer heavily subsidising private beds in public hospitals. Those beds are only available for that cohort of the population.

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