Michael Harty (Clare, Independent)
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384. To ask the Minister for Health if the newly opened 12-bed short-stay surgical ward at University Hospital Limerick is being used by non-surgical patients to alleviate overcrowding in the emergency department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11911/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The HSE National Escalation Framework consists of a tiered and incremental suite of actions intended to be adapted and implemented in Hospitals with an Emergency Department (ED) and the wider Local Health Economy as part of an inter-disciplinary, multi-provider system response to avoid Emergency Department overcrowding. It requires that local strategies and plans are in place to understand and respond to surges in demand in a responsive and planned way that meets national access and quality standards and underpins patient safety.

With regard to the specific question, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Michael Harty (Clare, Independent)
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385. To ask the Minister for Health the policy on accepting or rejecting corporate sponsorship from the fast food industry for hospitals and hospital related facilities; if fast food outlets operating within hospitals are banned here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11912/19]

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy's question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for their direct reply.