I often mention University Hospital Waterford here. I congratulate the management team because it is now recognised as the best performing model-4 hospital with regard to trolley counts and it is the only acute model 4 to reduce its outpatient waiting list by 20% so far this year. I have key questions that relate capital resources to which the Taoiseach's office might respond. They relate to the capital plan for 2024, consultant packages, the confirmation of a new 160-bed block, the cardiology beds to support the second catheterisation lab and a new outpatient unit. I ask that the Taoiseach's office revert to me. However, the key question I have for the Taoiseach relates to the loss of 77 community residential beds in Rockshire and Maypark nursing homes. These are two private nursing homes that are closing in Waterford with the loss of 77 beds. This will have a specific impact on the hospital's ability to manage its trolley count.

I thank the Deputy for raising these issues and I join him in paying tribute to University Hospital Waterford on its efficiency and its being the best model-4 hospital in respect of its emergency department and getting the waiting list down 20%. I will revert to him on the current status of the capital plan with regard to cardiology beds and the second catheterisation lab. We are committed to that, as the Deputy knows, but I will get the detail on how it is progressing. Any loss of private nursing home capacity is to be regretted, given the importance that capacity plays in the flow through a hospital in terms of discharge and having proper quality care available for people who, at the stage of their lives, require nursing home residential provision. A range of measures is being put in place by the Minister to support nursing homes.