Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, United Left) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her reply. Matters certainly seem to be moving, but how many beds have been released by discharging patients from acute hospitals? How many does the Minister of State expect will be freed up for people by March so that those who do not need acute hospital care can receive the care most suitable to them and with which they are most comfortable?

This crisis in general hospital and community care owes to cuts. Losing 5,000 nurses in recent years is bound to have had an impact. Beds have been closed. Can we open more hospital beds to take in people from accident and emergency departments, which is where the main problem lies?

Later, I would like to hear from the Minister his opinion on the problem of the registration fee for nurses. They will not be able to pay the €150.

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