Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2026
30. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the current status of the proposed elective hospital for Cork; the progress toward the project intended in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17536/26]
View answerThe Government is fully committed to increasing elective-only day-case capacity through the Elective Ambulatory Care Programme. This is being delivered in two phases: a national network of Surgical Hubs in the first instance to meet medium-term demand and capacity, and then a national network of Elective Treatment Centres, also known as Elective Hospitals, in Galway, Cork and Dublin.
These new ‘elective-only’ facilities are for day-case patients, they are not for acute or emergency care. Significant international evidence supports the separation of scheduled (elective) and non-scheduled (emergency) care, leading to improved care for all patients.
Two Surgical Hubs are already operational (the Reeves Centre in Tallaght and Mount Carmel Hub in South Dublin). A further five hubs are expected to open this year in Swords, Galway, Cork, Limerick and Waterford. Plans are also in development for Surgical Hubs in Letterkenny and Sligo.
In line with the Preliminary Business Cases approved by Government in 2022, the Elective Treatment Centres will provide significant additional service delivery capacity and facilities. This includes endoscopy suites, operating theatres and minor operation rooms.
The design phase for the Elective Treatment Centres is underway. The HSE and its appointed design team are finalising these plans in relation to Cork with an application for planning permission to be submitted in the middle of this year.
