I refer to page 58 of the programme for Government on capacity in hospitals, particularly with regard to Naas General Hospital, where 15 patients were on trolleys this morning. In 2014, planning permission was granted and we all know it takes time to get planning permission. Not alone has no sod been lifted to prepare for the extension but the HSE had to go back for planning permission this year. Thankfully, it was granted but it is a disgrace five years later, when the hospital is incredibly busy dealing with a large population, that people are on trolleys, the assessment unit has been closed because of problems with capacity and there is no movement on the new mental health facility. This is completely wrong. The new mental health facility and the extension, which will contain an oncology department as well as acute services and an endoscopy department, are in the capital plan for 2019. When will we see progress on them?

On page 58, the programme for Government states the Government will reduce emergency department overcrowding. That is an awful joke in my city. It is turning into an nightmare. Yesterday, 81 people were lying on trolleys in University Hospital Limerick. Today, 80 people are packed like sardines into the emergency department. The INMO has described it as a small hospital being piled into University Hospital Limerick. Last month, the Minister of Health made a secret dash in and out of the hospital. He avoided hard questions from public representatives and the media but nothing has happened since his visit. In fact, circumstances have worsened. The Government's action to date has been disgracefully inadequate. When will this overcrowding be properly addressed?

As I am sure the Taoiseach and Minister for Health have contended, since 2017 a further 267 beds have been opened in our hospitals to respond to the type of issues the patients, nurses and doctors are dealing with at present. The HSE capital plan, published a number of weeks ago by the Minister for Health, the Taoiseach and I, outlined the plans now funded to increase the number of beds in the health service to just above 11,000. It is good to hear that at least one of the projects to which Deputy O'Loughlin referred is included in the capital plan.

We have put funding in place to increase the number of hospital beds. We have recently made changes to how we pay nurses to ensure we will have staff in place and more beds to deliver better care for patients. I take on board the points the Deputies have made about the need for this work to be commenced and done quickly. I am sure the HSE and the Department of Health will ensure the additional funding I have made available to them is spent quickly.