Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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98. To ask the Minister for Health when the new 60 bed unit in University Hospital Limerick will be opened and operational. [11794/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Emergency Department in University Hospital Limerick is one of the busiest in the country, with the number of patients attending growing year on year.

Limerick was identified as a one of 9 sites requiring additional investment, focus and support as part this year’s Winter Plan. The problem of overcrowding in hospitals requires a full system, patient focused response.  Recognising this, in the Winter Plan investment is targeted at both hospital and community services and supports.  This includes additional home support packages and transitional care beds to support people to leave hospital and return home.

It is widely agreed that a key part of the solution for Limerick is additional beds.

Over the past 18 months, an additional 23 beds have opened in Limerick, including 5 as part of this year’s Winter Plan.

A Capital Allocation of €2 million has been granted in recent weeks and the HSE advise that this will facilitate the completion of enabling works for the 60 bed modular ward in 2019.