Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Government is committed to the expansion of our emergency accommodation by a further 2,000 beds across this year. Work is under way to identify properties in which this can be done. Given that the issue of the mid-west has already been raised by the Deputy, I will see if I can get further information about her own constituency and the mid-west overall.

With regard to the capital programme that was brought forward by the Minister for Health, he is in front of the Committee on Health on a regular basis, as is the HSE. It is, respectfully, a matter for the Oireachtas to decide and vote upon the budget proposal brought forward. The appropriation Bill and the Estimates that each Department has to present are voted upon by the Oireachtas. That democratic legitimacy happens when Estimates are voted upon. We handle these matters in a pretty transparent way, when Estimates are brought forward and debated in the House. It is then a matter for the Minister to determine, in consultation with his Department, where those Estimates are allocated, both by geography and different layers of policy. I know the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, is well aware of the needs of Waterford University Hospital and that working with the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, great efforts are being made to respond to the health needs in that hospital and the communities that Deputy Shanahan represents.

With regard to Deputy Niamh Smyth-----

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