With regard to the elements of the programme for Government dealing with the trolley crisis, why is the Government not providing funding for extra staff for the escalation ward in Tralee general hospital, or what is now known as University Hospital Kerry? The wards are there but we need staff to man them. The funding is not there. Why is the Minister not providing it?

Although it is not promised legislation, I will look into the specific issue raised by the Deputy. We have already seen an increase this year in staffing numbers in our health services in terms of both nursing and medical staff when compared with last year. We have also provided €40 million to deal with what the Deputy describes as the trolley crisis. Numbers on trolleys are still high but they are down approximately 5% on last year. Some of that €40 million in funding for the winter initiative will deal with the fact that we still have too many people on beds who need to be at home instead. That is why we are providing more home help as well.