Written answer
Hospital Services
Nenagh’s future services will be assessed through the Mid West Health Planning Board’s integrated regional plan, alongside ongoing investment in hospital capacity.
3576. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2378 of 9 June 2026, for an update on the strategic assessment of the improvement and expansion of local services in Nenagh model two hospital; the services the HSE and her Department are considering for improvement and expansion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61811/26]
Comment on this
I recognise the significant pressures facing health services in the Mid West and am committed to continuing investment in services across the region.
Substantial progress is being made to increase capacity across the region. This includes the delivery of additional inpatient beds at University Hospital Limerick (UHL), the development of further bed capacity across Ennis, Nenagh and St John's Hospitals, and the opening of the Mid West Surgical Hub in Q4.
Central to the long-term strategy for the region is the establishment of the Mid West Health Planning Board. The Board brings together senior HSE leaders, clinical experts, specialists in infrastructure and finance, and patient and service-user representatives. Its role is to 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 for the people of Clare, Limerick and Tipperary.
The Board will examine how services can be organised across acute hospitals in the region including Nenagh. It will also examine 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 and ensure that existing and future healthcare facilities work together as part of an integrated regional network.
While significant investments in infrastructure and workforce continue, the Board's work represents an important opportunity to put in place a credible roadmap for safe, accessible and sustainable healthcare in the Mid West, ensuring that decisions are informed by evidence, with regional input, and the needs of patients and communities.