Donna McGettigan
Question:1153. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Health to respond to the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12217/26]
View answerTuesday, 17 February 2026
Questions (1153)
Written answers
This Government fully accepts and recognises the need to expand acute capacity in the Mid West, and we are working to address the challenges facing acute care in the region. This is in line with our Programme for Government commitments to increase capacity and open more beds across the Mid West, and to consider all of the HIQA recommendations.
In response to the queries raised in the correspondence submitted by the Deputy, I would like to highlight that a significant programme of work has been ongoing looking at the evidence base for the future configuration and capacity of services in the Mid West, part of which is entailing consideration of many of these queries.
In 2024, HIQA was asked to lead a review into urgent and emergency care capacity in the Mid West region. HIQA published their independent and expert review on September 30th 2025. The report includes extensive data considerations, including ESRI capacity projections, and associated advice. I briefed Government on this on September 30th.
HIQA’s review identifies three potential options for consideration and alongside these options, HIQA has presented an extensive number of additional considerations, including system-wide work that must be progressed in parallel.
All three options and the extensive findings and considerations presented by HIQA have been analysed in detail, and I presented proposed next steps to Government in December.
Once an appropriate site has been identified and secured to progress option B standard governance structures will be set up to support the delivery of this option and to explore additional opportunities to decant services away from the main Dooradoyle site.
To progress Option C, I and my Department will develop a strategic plan for the incremental reconfiguration and investment in healthcare services in the Mid West region.
We have listened to the advocacy of the people of the Mid West region and have engaged with representatives for their health services. Their input has been reflected in the consultations run by HIQA, and in their report.
On the matter of the list of specific data requests detailed within the attached correspondence, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.