Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

When the Taoiseach's predecessor and now Cabinet colleague announced a lockdown, we were all clear as to what was required of the public and the public did what was required of it. Hospital capacity was an issue across Europe, even in Germany and Italy which have much better healthcare systems than Ireland does in terms of preparedness. We were told that our capacity was particularly low and, as such, we had to be particularly careful. At the start of the year, this country's permanent adult critical care capacity was 255 beds. Funding was provided in March for an additional 40 adult beds and two paediatric beds. Have those beds and units now been built? Are they ready for this autumn as we face into winter?

As I reminded the previous Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, when he slipped out of the Chamber a few moments ago, in May he accepted that the overcrowding in University Hospital Limerick, UHL, was unacceptable and that, if not addressed, would be a disaster this winter. He accepted that additional procedures would be required to be carried out in the tier 2 hospitals that surround UHL, namely, Ennis Regional Hospital, Nenagh General Hospital and St. John's Hospital. I did not hear any more from the Minister, Deputy Harris, on the issue because he changed portfolios. The Special Committee on Covid-19 Response heard from Dr. Liam Woods, who confirmed that plans were under way to increase the number of procedures. However, instead of that happening, all surgeries were cancelled a couple of weeks ago at Ennis Regional Hospital. Thankfully, they have since been reinstated. In direct response to overcrowding in UHL, all elective procedures have been cancelled this week. That is putting further pressure on waiting lists and leading to deterioration of quality of life, as well as affecting life expectancy in many cases.

Swabbing and testing is essential, as the Taoiseach and Deputy McDonald have agreed. However, up to now, public health dentists, speech therapists and other trained professionals in our healthcare system have been diverted to testing. I am not saying testing is unimportant. On the contrary, it is extremely important. However, six months into this crisis, those workers need to go back to their normal jobs. It is inexcusable that people have not been trained and put in place to carry out testing such that dentists, speech therapists and so on are not being diverted to testing.

Six months on from the announcement of the lockdown, what is the current permanent adult critical care capacity? What is happening with regard to the UL hospitals group? What is happening with regard to those carrying out testing?

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