On page 47 of the programme for Government, it acknowledges that even before the impact of Covid-19 on our health service, significant additional capacity was required across all aspects of care. It detailed the Government’s plans to address these capacity issues.

Yesterday in my local hospital, University Hospital Limerick, UHL, 95 people were on trolleys, which is an absolute scandal. This is the highest number ever in any hospital since these figures were collated. Some 70 people are on trolleys today. This is almost 900 people already in November lingering on trolleys. UHL is the hospital in the constituency with the highest number of people being treated on trolleys. The patients and staff deserve way better than they are getting. The hospital is awaiting the construction of a new 96 bed unit and this needs to be expedited but we are being advised that it will take at least 20 months to complete.

I ask the Taoiseach please not to tell me that money is available when the management and staff of UHL tell me themselves that it is not. Will the Taoiseach commit to cutting through the red tape to get this project approved under the capital approval process?

Yes, Deputy, and I was not able to pick up everything that he said. We want to get extra bed capacity into Limerick and I will engage with the HSE in respect of any blockages. It will have to be built or developed which will obviously take time.

The hospital is awaiting approval for extra money.

I will talk to the HSE in respect of that because historically there has been an issue in Limerick. It got its new accident and emergency department but it needs-----

What about the money? There have never been 95 people on trolleys-----

I am answering the question. The hospital needs additional bed capacity. We are willing to provide it. Funding is there and we need to get on with it.