Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am advised that there is active engagement between the HSE and CHI to further revise the workforce plan. The question of staffing in all the specialisms has to come within the workforce plan. I appreciate that between now and the opening of the hospital, we might get several such letters from different specialists who are, understandably, trying to make the best case they can for the best resources for their area but this can only be delivered within an overall workforce plan and the budget for that.

While we might have different instances over time, that workforce plan is absolutely essential and that is what we have to work towards in the first instance.

On the broader commissioning of the hospital, early access in April has been agreed. I am currently assessing the CHI plans to move in and what will be done on a month-by-month basis to ensure that we have delivery of the hospital for patients in 2026. At the earliest possible safe time in 2026 patients will be moved. I am assessing that pretty rigorously at the moment.

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