121. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Health for an update on the plan to increase ICU bed capacity by at least a further 100 beds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48059/26]

The Government is committed to increasing critical care capacity for patients with life-threatening injuries and illnesses.

This is being achieved through the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Critical Care. The Plan aims to increase national capacity over two phases, from a baseline of 258, to 458 adult critical care beds.

To date, progress has been substantial. Under the Phase 1 of the Strategic Plan, over €80 million has been allocated and 88 additional critical care beds have been opened. These beds are supported by over 800 newly recruited, highly skilled staff.

Most recently, in January 2026 a new six-bed critical care ward in St. Vincent's University Hospital was opened. This brings national capacity to 346 beds, a 34% increase under the Strategic Plan. 6 further beds are included in the HSE Service Plan and this will complete Phase 1.

An additional 106 beds at five priority hospital sites are envisaged in Phase 2 of the Strategic Plan and these projects are at various stages of the capital planning processes.

These capital builds will be delivered over a number of years. This reflects the scale of these buildings, decant of existing accommodation, approval processes, construction, equipping and commissioning.

Their completion will bring capacity to 458 beds and exceed the recommendations of the 2018 Health Service Capacity Review.