Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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349. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to reduce the levels of services to be provided at a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50022/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Emergency Department in Cavan has been performing well this year. Performance information from the HSE show a 48% reduction in trolley numbers at the Hospital in comparison with the same period in 2016.

In addition all Hospital Groups and Community Health Organisations have developed and put in place integrated winter preparedness plans for their locality focussed on planning and escalation preparedness, maintaining patient flow processes and ensuring public health preparedness.

Future investment in Cavan General Hospital will be considered within the overall acute hospital infrastructure programme, the prioritised needs of the hospital groups and in the most cost effective way possible to meet current and future needs of the health service.

There are no plans to reduce the level of service at Cavan General Hospital.

Michael Harty (Clare, Independent)
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350. To ask the Minister for Health his views on whether services at University Hospital Limerick can survive a winter flu epidemic in view of the chronic state of the emergency department, the cancellation of elective procedures, the CPE threat and the unacceptable hospital work overload; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50028/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you.