I propose to take Questions Nos. 788, 789, 811, 827, 845, 848, 855, 862, 865, 889, 904 and 912 together.
At the outset, I want to commend Build4Life on its achievement in raising €2.3m to fund this unit in Cork University Hospital. The situation that has now arisen in relation to this development is regrettable. I understand that the HSE and Build4Life are now in a process which I hope will bring about a resolution shortly.
I understand that the proposed Unit will have 20 beds, 10 of which will be designated for patients with CF, eight within the unit with two additional isolation beds provided in the Renal Unit. I have been assured that patients with CF will have priority access to these ten beds at all times. The ring fencing of beds for CF patients has been an issue in other hospitals around the country but has been resolved through written agreements and good operational procedures. I am confident that a similar agreement can be reached in this instance.
The key issue is that patients with CF are assured that sufficient beds will be available when they are needed, but at the same time, when beds are not needed for CF patients, they can be freed up for other very ill patients with respiratory and other conditions. I note that Cystic Fibrosis Ireland has expressed its confidence that, following discussions, an agreement can be drawn up that will allow building to commence.