1195. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if she will address the urgent issues regarding the neonatal services at the Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar; the steps needed to expand the paediatrics and neonatal service capacity; the assessment that has been carried out of the current and projected demand for neonatal and paediatric services in the region; the funding and resources required to increase SCBU capacity beyond the current five beds; the plans she and her Department have to deliver this expansion; and the timeframe for same. [64594/26]

As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.