Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 January 2026
18. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to the waiting lists in Galway University Hospital, which are the highest in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4965/26]
View answerWhile many patients are still waiting too long for care, progress has been made since the commencement of the multi-annual Waiting List Action Plan approach in September 2021.
In Galway, to the end of December 2025, we have achieved a 63% reduction in the number of patients waiting over 12 months for an outpatient appointment.
Important projects are underway to further improve waiting times. New outpatient clinics are operational on the Merlin Park site since February 2025 providing an additional 2,340 new outpatient appointments compared to 2024 across a range of specialities. In cardiology, there has been a 77% reduction in the number of patients waiting 12 months for an outpatient appointment which is significant.
Construction of the surgical hub is underway on the Merlin Park campus. The building infrastructure is due to be completed in Q1 2026, and it is due to be operational by Q3. This will make a substantial difference to waiting lists just as we have seen at Mount Carmel
The planning application is expected by this summer for the Elective Hospital.
All of this builds on sustained investment in Galway over recent years, with funding increasing by 57% over the last 5 years. These developments represent a major commitment to the people of the region and allow us to take real steps towards our ultimate goal: achieving the Sláintecare targets and ensuring that patients receive timely, high-quality care when they need it.
