Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply. As I said in my initial contribution I do not believe it is just a question of finances because it is also down to the need for planning, co-ordination and integration to achieve a solution. The purpose of the emergency departments task force was to examine the situation in a holistic manner and to come up with long-term solutions. However, short-term solutions are needed. Whether it is a case of the lowest number of people on trolleys today compared to the same day over the past number of years, the fact remains that more than 200 people are currently sitting on trolleys while healthy people are taking up beds because the step-down facilities are not in place to allow them to be discharged and in the meantime, sick people are waiting on trolleys. This situation needs to be addressed as a matter of priority.

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