Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

I can only repeat what I have in writing from the HSE, that the HSE south service plan for this year refers to the closure of 13 long-stay beds at Dungarvan community hospital. That is the situation and, in addition to that in terms of numbers, there is a commitment that the 16 short-stay beds that were closed in the hospital are to reopen on a phased basis over the next few weeks. It is there in black and white. I do not know if the Senator attended the briefing on the service plan but presumably the situation was clarified at that. I am told the service plan provides for the closure of 13 beds, that is my understanding of the situation and I have no reason to believe that is not the case.