David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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222. To ask the Minister for Health the number of times the full capacity protocol was initiated at University Hospital Galway for each of the years 2011 to date in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39011/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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223. To ask the Minister for Health the number of times the full capacity protocol was initiated at University Hospital Waterford for each of the years 2011 to date in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39012/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Following the formation of Government an additional €40 million was provided to assist in the management of winter pressures. Utilising this additional funding the HSE developed the Winter Initiative Plan 2016 – 2017 which was published in September. Key aspects of this plan are being implemented at hospital and community services level across the country.

Last week the HSE convened a Winter Initiative Health Summit and I met with Hospital Group CEOs, as well as hospital and Community Health Organisation managers, to reinforce the importance of driving key performance improvements across primary, acute and social care to reduce ED overcrowding and to plan for expected surges in demand in our EDs in the New Year.

In relation to this particular query, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.