There is a commitment in the programme for Government that in advance of, and in preparation for, the 2017 review of the capital plan, the Government would undertake a national hospital bed capacity review, recognising the need to increase the bed stock. That is from the programme for Government. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, INMO, ward watch figure for this week shows a spike in trolley numbers for the second week in July. It shows an increase of 38% compared to the same week in 2015. The figure was reduced for the month of May by 14% and the month of June by 24%. However, last week's figure confirms that 1,839 patients admitted for care were on trolleys compared with 1,336 for the same period last year. Will the Taoiseach confirm that this bed capacity review has commenced, and if not, when it will commence?

The issue of numbers in general is of importance to the Minister for Health. He met with the HSE last Friday regarding measures to tackle waiting lists and hospital bed capacity. The Minister requested the HSE to prepare an action plan setting out specific measures it will implement, in conjunction with hospitals, from now to the end of 2016 in order to tackle waiting lists.

The bed capacity review is part of the overall presentation of where we want to be with the health system over the next ten years. I am glad that most Members and the parties here generally buy into what kind of health system we want to have over the next ten years. I will give Deputy Micheál Martin an update on the commencement date and progress that is being made.