Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I take on board all of the points the Deputy has raised regarding the proposal to build three elective-only hospitals, his comments on UHL and the enhanced role for the model 2 hospitals located in that particular community healthcare organisation. The health service capacity review 2018 was clear on the need for a major investment in additional capacity in both acute hospitals and community services, combined with a wide-scale reform of the manner and location of the provision of health services. Since January 2020, more than 800 additional acute inpatient beds have been provided nationally on a permanent basis.

However, even with all the extra capacity in Limerick, it clearly is not enough. I provided details in my reply about the number of new beds, as the Deputy acknowledged. The most important thing we can do for people, especially older people, is to ensure they can get care in their community. The ICPOP teams are fantastic in supporting older people, ensuring the first step is not always the emergency department and providing wrap-around support in outpatient services.

I note the Deputy's request for a meeting with the Taoiseach and the Minister. I will feed that suggestion back to them. All the Deputy's points have been really well made. I recognise and respect the sincerity with which he has made them. I will speak to the Minister on his behalf.

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