Hospital plans rubbished by Sinn Féin

Sinn Féin has labelled a government proposal to build private hospitals in the grounds of public hospitals as "lunacy".

Under the scheme, private hospitals will receive €40m in tax breaks for every €100m they invest, plus the value of the public land on which the hospital is built.

Sinn Féin has announced that it will stage multiple protests next week at each of the 11 hospitals earmarked for the plan by the HSE.

The party's health spokesperson, Deputy Caoimhghin O Caolain has said the Minister for Health cannot be allowed to spend taxpayers' money on private healthcare.