165. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the current projected timeline for the completion and opening of the surgical hub and ambulatory oncology unit at Letterkenny University Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51753/26]

Government is fully committed to increasing day-case capacity through the Elective Ambulatory Care Programme. This is being delivered in two phases: a national network of Surgical Hubs to meet medium-term demand, and then a network of Elective Treatment Centres (also known as Elective Hospitals) in Galway, Cork and Dublin.

A total of nine Surgical Hubs are being delivered across the country. The Hubs comprise operating theatres, procedure rooms, consultation and assessment rooms, recovery bays and functional support space. They will improve access to day surgery in multiple surgical specialties for large numbers of routine day case patients, freeing up hospital capacity for more complex procedures and helping people get surgery sooner.

The development of the Surgical Hub at Letterkenny was announced by the Minister for Health in July 2025. A further Surgical Hub will also be developed in Sligo, to provide additional elective care capacity in the Northwest. I understand that the HSE is appointing a design team to progress design for both sites. The Hub in Letterkenny will include 2 day-case theatres and 2 minor-ops rooms. The HSE is due to complete Stage 1 design (initial design stage) for these Surgical Hubs in 2026. Tender processes are also underway for the various site surveys required.

The National Cancer Strategy 2017 – 2026 and the National Development Plan 2021 – 2030 (NDP) are committed to major capital investment in cancer infrastructure nationally with investment in quality infrastructure in the West North West region specifically called out for in the National Development Plan.

The HSE has noted that development of the Surgical Hub and Ambulatory Care Centre at Letterkenny will need to be planned and designed in the context of the overall Development Control Plan for the Letterkenny University campus to ensure their optimum location on the site.