Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There has been an historical issue with the number of patients on trolleys in Limerick, of which we are aware. There has also been a very successful initiative by the healthcare professionals, not just in the hospital but in the community group as well, since we had the three very high days at the start of January. As of 8 o'clock this morning, there are eight patients on trolleys. The average number of patients on trolleys in the past seven days is five or six. The numbers have been brought very low. What we need to ensure is that the efforts that have been made by the healthcare professionals there are supported and we can sustain them right through the year. We must ensure the number of patients on trolleys that we saw a few weeks ago is consigned to history.

The Deputy will be aware that since Covid arrived, the Government has sanctioned and delivered 132 beds in UHL. There has been an increase in the workforce of 1,000 and an increase in the budget of 20%. Recently, I turned the sod on an additional 96 beds and we are currently considering the proposal for two additional 96-bed blocks.

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