Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 February 2026
643. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the total funding allocated to developing a new adult mental health unit at UHW; what the development will consist of; when plans for a new unit were first presented to the HSE; the current status of the project and the projected timeline for delivery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16124/26]
View answerThe development of a new Acute Mental Health Unit at University Hospital Waterford is a priority for me, and I have been closely involved in the progression of this project. While there were clinical deliberations under way for a considerable time to decide the best location for the Unit on the hospital campus, agreement has been reached and the project is now moving swiftly through the necessary stages.
The new Acute Mental Health Unit at University Hospital Waterford has been designated as one of the six priority capital sites for mental health in the HSE Capital Plan 2026. The development of mental health capital projects are now backed by an unprecedented €470m in funding from the National Development Plan Health Allocation 2026-2030.
I have provided the allocation requested by the HSE of €140,350 to progress the project through the design feasibility stage this year, and I recently met with senior regional estates management in Waterford to discuss the project and provide any and all support to ensure speedy construction of the Unit.
There is significant momentum behind this project and all mental health capital projects and I will publish a 10 year capital plan for mental health in the coming months to guide the long term vision for the transformation of the mental health capital estate.
