One in three patients on hospital trolleys in this country is attending University Hospital Limerick. That means there are more people on trolleys in Limerick than in all of the Dublin hospitals combined. This has given rise to conditions in the hospital that are Dickensian and inhumane from the point of view of patients and staff. There is a block under construction at the hospital. When does the Taoiseach expect it to become operational? How many new beds will be provided in this block?

Some of the beds being provided there will only replace beds that are being decommissioned. When will the next planned phase be operational? When will the surgical hub, which is designed to alleviate some of this situation, become operational?

We are very aware of the ongoing situation in Limerick in terms of the number of patients on trolleys. It is important to note that the chief executive expedited the appointment of the regional executive officer. I know first hand that she is on the ground and that things are moving better. I have spoken to her about the improved patient flow. One of the things people will now see in daily reporting is fewer patients on trolleys in the emergency department and more patients up the house in the wards. That is still not what we want, but it is a less unsafe situation than patients waiting too long in the emergency department.

As the Deputy will be aware, we have 96 beds under construction. I will get the Deputy the exact completion date for those. Critically, we have also started the enabling works on the second 96-bed block.

I am reserving the position in terms of replacement versus net beds. At the moment, we are in the business of adding beds. There may be some beds that we need to replace because they physically have to be taken out for some reason, but my strong preference is for additional beds rather than replacement ones.

I thank the Minister, but we are over time.

What about the surgical hub?

I will revert to the Deputy.