Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 January 2026
131. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on new services that will be provided by the Health Service Executive in County Clare in 2026, in particular at Ennis General Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4959/26]
View answer507. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an overview of new initiatives and services to be rolled out at Ennis General Hospital in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4961/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 507 together.
Health services are continuing to be developed in County Clare and at Ennis Hospital.
The HSE has advised that planning is continuing to progress for further development of the Ennis Hospital site. This will include two new operating theatres, endoscopy, Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD), radiology, laboratories and 48 new inpatient beds in line with the Acute Hospital Inpatient Bed Capacity Plan 2024-2031. These developments are currently at the design stage.
In 2026, a new paediatric social inclusion clinic will commence in the Outpatients Department.
This follows the commencement of a number of new services in Ennis in late 2025 including:
• Consultant-led respiratory service
• Integrated respiratory Clinical Nurse Specialist in Outpatients and Primary Care
• A TP-biopsy (urology) service commenced in theatre in Ennis
• new integrated pathways from the Medical Assessment Unit to Primary Care Unit (for example, for palpitations)
• An X-ray room opened in the Outpatients Department.
Expansion of services at Ennis Hospital has been supported by an increase in overall staffing levels of 19% since January 2020.
Planning permission has been granted by Clare County Council for the establishment of a new haemodialysis service in Ennis. Construction commenced for the new service on the Gort Road, Ennis, in late November 2025. The HSE has advised that this project is expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2026.
