Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 to 11, inclusive, together.

The Cabinet committee on health oversees implementation of programme for Government commitments on health, receives detailed reports on identified policy areas and considers the implementation of health reforms, including Sláintecare. The Cabinet committee last met on Monday, 8 November. It is intended that it will meet again shortly.

In addition to the meetings of the full Cabinet and of Cabinet committees, I meet with Ministers on an individual basis to focus on different issues. I meet regularly with the Minister for Health to discuss priorities in the area of health, including Sláintecare and especially our management of and response to Covid-19.

The health sector is expecting to face significant challenges this winter. The recently published winter preparedness plan 2021-2022 is structured around three key goals: avoidance of hospital admittance, unless absolutely essential; patient flow through our hospitals; and safe and timely egress of patients from hospital. The Government is investing €77 million in this year's winter plan.

It is important to recognise that €400 million from last year's winter plan has been retained and was locked into the regular annual funding base for 2022.

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