Notwithstanding the Taoiseach's visit to UHL on Friday last, there was near record overcrowding again on Monday, with 109 people waiting for beds. As a result of that and the transfer of patients to Ennis, day surgeries have been cancelled in Ennis again today. Will the Taoiseach look at the capacity of Ennis and the other model 2 hospitals in the region as part of the solution to overcoming the overcrowding in UHL? In particular, will he look at the medical assessment unit. Will he also ensure that there is adequate capacity in Ennis to allow day surgeries to continue to happen? Today's cancelled surgeries are next week's accident and emergency presentations.

The short answer is "Yes". As we discussed at the meeting, I foresee Ennis and Nenagh hospitals being upgraded. It is already the case that more patients who are sick but stable are being taken there directly by ambulance. That protocol could be extended further provided it is safe to do so. There can be more medical assessment unit slots and longer hours for the local injury unit. Ennis only has about 50 beds and Nenagh is roughly similar. If those hospitals are going to do more work, they are going to have to be bigger. It is something we are going to examine as part of the overall solution to the problems in UHL. The solutions cannot just be in that hospital; there has to be a regional solution.