Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

We accept the difficulties and that there will be real challenges in terms of delivering the level of service people need, but in terms of the service plan and given the 2,000 hospital beds that are already closed in the public hospital system and the signalled closure of 62 beds in Tallaght Hospital last week, 31 of which are in a single ward, does the Minister intend to include in the service plan a plan to restore those beds, not to go ahead with the closures in Tallaght but to restore some of the other public hospital beds in order to meet the crying need that is evident? What will the Minister do in response to the departure of a further 3,000 health care workers by the February deadline? What does he intend to do in terms of those who are entrusted with the delivery of key services on which each and every one of us depend for our health at some point in the course of our lives?

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