The HSE wants to take over up to 40 per cent of activity in private hospitals, to deal with further surges in Covid-19 cases.
The Irish Times reports that under a new agreement, private hospitals would provide complex medical and surgical treatment for public patients in a non-Covid environment.
The HSE confirmed earlier this week that it's engaging with private facilities to provide services at a number of different levels.
However, the Times reports that few hospitals have signed up to the deal, which could last for up to two years.
