Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are very aware of the ongoing situation in Limerick in terms of the number of patients on trolleys. It is important to note that the chief executive expedited the appointment of the regional executive officer. I know first hand that she is on the ground and that things are moving better. I have spoken to her about the improved patient flow. One of the things people will now see in daily reporting is fewer patients on trolleys in the emergency department and more patients up the house in the wards. That is still not what we want, but it is a less unsafe situation than patients waiting too long in the emergency department.

As the Deputy will be aware, we have 96 beds under construction. I will get the Deputy the exact completion date for those. Critically, we have also started the enabling works on the second 96-bed block.

I am reserving the position in terms of replacement versus net beds. At the moment, we are in the business of adding beds. There may be some beds that we need to replace because they physically have to be taken out for some reason, but my strong preference is for additional beds rather than replacement ones.

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