4122. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to ensure that there is no overcrowding at the emergency department at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59356/26]

The Minister is acutely aware of the pressures experienced in Emergency Departments across the country, including at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. The HSE is responsible for the delivery of acute hospital services and continues to work with hospital management and the Dublin and North East Health Region to manage patient flow, improve discharge processes and ensure patients are treated in the most appropriate setting.

The Urgent and Emergency Care Plan 2026 sets out targeted actions to improve patient flow and reduce Emergency Department congestion, including hospital avoidance measures, improved Emergency Department operations, better in-hospital care delivery and enhanced discharge management. These actions are supported by the continued roll-out of Enhanced Community Care, virtual wards, improved access to care closer to home, and measures to reduce delayed transfers of care.

Government has also made significant investment in additional acute and community capacity. Between January 2025 and June 2026, 292 beds have opened nationally with 15 of these in Our Lady of Lourdes. This additional capacity is intended to support safer patient flow, reduce pressure on Emergency Departments and ensure that patients can access timely care.

The Minister remains committed to working with the HSE to ensure that urgent and emergency care services are safe, responsive and appropriately resourced, and that all available measures are used to minimise overcrowding at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital and across the wider hospital network.

As this question refers specifically to Our Lady Of Lourdes Drogheda, and is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly.