We learned last night that as of last Friday 133 staff at Letterkenny University Hospital were off work. We understand the number could now be above 150. All non-essential services have been suspended. The hospital faces an unprecedented crisis. We are talking about a hospital that was run at full capacity over recent years, so that is saying something. I appeal to the Taoiseach and the Minister for Health to ensure that every possible additional resource is deployed to the hospital. As public representatives we are dealing every day with staff and patients' families who are appealing for help in securing additional resources. I appeal to the Taoiseach to do everything he can. I spoke to Dr. Colm Henry, the national clinical officer of the HSE, twice yesterday. I ask the Taoiseach to get behind these calls.

I wish to refer to the programme for Government's commitment to protecting public health patients and ensuring capacity for future surges of Covid-19. As of yesterday, 61 people were waiting on hospital trolleys at University Hospital Limerick. Today there are 50. This is unacceptable and puts patients and staff at unnecessary risk. Last week the University of Limerick Hospitals Group was forced to reduce scheduled procedures drastically as nearly 200 staff at both University Hospital Limerick and Ennis Hospital tested positive for Covid-19 or were deemed to have been close contacts of positive cases. As as result, six wards were closed. Figures obtained by the Irish Patients Association show that, on average, the full capacity protocol was deployed at University Hospital Limerick every second day of the year until the end of September. This would be bad enough at the best of times, but in the middle of a public health crisis this level of failure is totally unacceptable.

Both cases illustrate the damage that Covid-19 can do. That is why we have restrictions. It is worth reflecting on the impact Covid-19 can have on hospital services. Hospitals have had to postpone non-essential services because of the spread of Covid-19 among hospital staff. That is an unfortunate reality. We will do everything we possibly can to provide every possible resource to Letterkenny University Hospital. The Deputy should be in no doubt about that. Anything that has to be done will be done. The same applies to any other hospital across the country. As we consider the easing of restrictions it is important to note that they are there for a reason. When there are very high levels of community transmission, the virus finds its way into hospitals and nursing homes. That is the context of the restrictions.