Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 January 2026
41. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health for an update on the national linear accelerators (linac) replacement programme, including details of replacement plans outside Dublin. [4990/26]
View answerThere are three public radiation therapy services that operate linear accelerator (LINAC) treatment machines in Ireland. Public facilities are located in Galway, Cork and in Dublin across the St Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network (SLRON).There are a total of 23 LINACs across these services.
Galway has four machines, Cork has five machines, and SLRON has 14 machines (6x St Luke's Rathgar, 4x Beaumont and 4x St James Hospital).
The lifespan of a LINAC depends on many factors including for example the type of LINAC, how it is used, how it is maintained and the manufacturer support lifespan including software upgrades. The typical lifespan is 10 - 15 years.
Work is progressing to replace the LINAC equipment within the St. Luke's Radiation Oncology Network. The design process is currently underway and it is expected that step one of the procurement process for the works and the equipment supply will commence in Q1 2026 with a contractor in place by Q4 2026. Capacity at Beaumont Hospital is also being expanded with additional LINACs being installed alongside replacement of the existing equipment.
The Cork and Galway radiotherapy centres have each been constructed with an empty bunker. This can accommodate new LINACs should future demand projections require further expansion. Planning for the replacement of equipment will be initiated through the HSE region in the first instance and then progressed through the capital projects evaluation process.
