Written answer
Hospital Services
The Government is expanding University Hospital Limerick and regional capacity, including new and planned bed blocks, 114 additional beds across Ennis, St John’s and Nenagh, and the Mid West Surgical Hub. The Raheen site will support a new outpatient department, while a newly established planning board develops an integrated regional service and infrastructure plan.
3575. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2378 of 9 June 2026, for an update on plans to extend the UHL hospital campus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61799/26]
Comment on this
3579. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2378 of 9 June 2026, for an update on plans to expand capacity at the UHL Dooradoyle site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61798/26]
Comment on this
I propose to take Questions Nos. 3575 and 3579 together.
The Government has prioritised investment and development of the Mid West, consistent with commitments in the Programme for Government and informed by the recommendations of the independent Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) review of urgent and emergency care services in the region.
Following consideration of HIQA's recommendations, Government agreed a programme of measures focused on expanding capacity, strengthening regional services and developing a sustainable model of care for the future.
Substantial progress is being made to increase capacity at University Hospital Limerick (UHL), including the delivery of a new 96-bed block in October 2025, and two 16-bed blocks completed in 2024 and 2025, with construction of an additional 16 beds underway to be completed by the end of 2026. The contract was recently awarded for the main construction works to deliver a second 96-bed block, and a design team has been appointed for an additional 66-bed block at UHL.
Across Ennis, St John's and Nenagh Model 2 Hospitals, an additional 114 beds are planned by 2031. In total, 420 regional beds are expected to be delivered in the region between 2024 and 2031. The Mid West Surgical Hub will open in Q4 of this year, which will significantly enhance access to elective care and reduce pressure on acute services.
The acquisition of the Raheen site by the HSE in March 2026, will enable the future expansion of healthcare infrastructure in the Mid West and provide additional capacity for the region. The HSE is progressing planning and development work for a new Outpatients’ Department at Raheen. This would facilitate the relocation of outpatient services and supporting diagnostic activity away from UHL Dooradoyle, and support the reduction of traffic and congestion on the existing UHL campus, consistent with HIQA’s recommendations.
In July 2026, I announced the establishment of the Mid West Health Planning Board . The Board will provide strategic direction and oversight in developing a comprehensive Mid West Service and Infrastructure Plan that will ensure a sustainable, integrated, region-wide model of care.
The Board will examine how services can be organised across acute hospitals, community healthcare, primary care and pre-hospital services to ensure patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time. Importantly, it will consider how services can be delivered closer to home where appropriate, reduce pressure on UHL, and ensure that existing and future healthcare facilities, such as the Raheen site, work together as part of an integrated regional network.
The Board will begin its work in September and finalise the delivery of Service and Infrastructure Plans for the Mid West within nine months.