David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Today will see the publication of the HSE's winter plan.

I must put it to the Taoiseach that the time to provide for the winter plan for this year was last year's budget and the time to plan for next winter is this year's budget. It takes time to open beds, which is why 177 beds that are funded are still not open. Seventy two beds announced as part of last year's winter and national service plans are still not open. It takes time to hire staff and increase diagnostic and surgical theatre capacity. Is the Taoiseach confident that the winter plan will be enough for the sheer volume of patients we will see in our emergency departments this year.

See this speech in context