Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

If this were a matter of political expediency, we would continue building a new hospital in Crumlin and another in Temple Street. The original plan was for approximately 700 beds. McKinsey and Company examined 17 of the top tertiary children's hospitals in the world, on which basis it recommended a 380-bed hospital in the context of Irish demography. There will be fewer beds than at present because ever more children's services are being provided on a day-case basis.

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