Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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673. To ask the Minister for Health following his visit to six hospitals on 4 January 2016, his plans to visit Tallaght Hospital, Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1302/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy may be aware that I visited Tallaght hospital in recent months including the Emergency Department. I also intend to make another visit at short notice or unannounced within the next few weeks.

I want to acknowledge the progress made by Tallaght in recruiting nurses and in opening 12 additional beds which I funded for the winter period and also the completion of the extension to the Emergency Department. While many hospitals experience overcrowding, it should be noted that Tallaght was one of the best performers over the Christmas and New Year period.