Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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383. To ask the Minister for Health when the 60-bed modular unit for University Hospital Limerick will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46850/18]

Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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384. To ask the Minister for Health the amount the 60-bed modular unit for University Hospital Limerick will cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46851/18]

Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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385. To ask the Minister for Health the number of new staff that will be hired to work in the new 60-bed modular unit for University Hospital Limerick; when the recruitment process will start; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46852/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 383 to 385, inclusive, together.

Increasing capacity is a priority for this Government.

My Department is currently in discussion with the HSE, in the context of the National Service Plan 2019, to identify the sites for investment and the associated number of beds, as part of an agreed capacity programme for 2019.

The selection and opening of beds on specific sites in 2019 and future years will be considered as part of the annual estimates and service planning process, and subject to financial, operation, human resource and policy considerations and priorities.

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