Deputy Ó Broin showed an uncharacteristic lack of generosity by not acknowledging the work of Senator Humphreys on short-term lettings over many years.

We are now entering the winter period and the days are getting colder, as evidenced by the weather forecast for next weekend. As we speak, 391 people are lying on hospital trolleys throughout the country and if recent winters are anything to go by, we will again face serious pressures on our health service throughout the winter. We have now reached the end of October but have had no confirmation of the details of the winter initiative, which is normally published at this time of the year. I ask the Tánaiste to confirm what measures will be taken to reduce trolley numbers over the winter season. When will the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, and the HSE provide specific details of the measures and resources to be deployed to deal with the winter pressures?

Planning for winter 2018-19 has begun at hospital and local level. The Department of Health is working with the HSE to ensure these local and regional plans are consolidated and supported through policies and plans at national level to ensure the most effective response to the winter challenges to unscheduled care provision. The budget allocated an additional €10 million to prepare for and manage the expected peak in demand for health services over the coming winter. The funding will focus on initiatives to enable the hospital system to de-escalate before Christmas. Supporting patients in the over-75 age group will be a particular priority along with measures to respond to a surge in capacity and provide transitional beds and care as well as aids and appliances to support patients on their journey home following a hospital stay. We are trying as best we can to prepare hospitals for the increased pressure on service delivery and we have a significant budget to so do.