Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is correct we are living in unprecedented times. I do not think it is a statement of the obvious to announce €600 million to support people in the winter plan that runs throughout the winter until after Christmas.

The Deputy is right when he says bed capacity is the most important thing going forward. The whole purpose of this plan is to try to keep as many people in their homes and in the community. The Department of Health is working with the HSE to increase acute capacity in hospitals throughout the country in the context of the current Covid-19 pandemic response. Funding was provided in March for an additional 324 acute beds, which brought the reported acute inpatient capacity to 11,597 beds, excluding critical care beds. This was an average of 11,000 inpatient beds open during 2020 up to the end of July. There were 304 general acute beds and 41 adult critical care beds available in the system on Thursday, 10 September.

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