Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2026
1084. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if she will meet with a campaign group following publication of their survey and findings in relation to the future of healthcare services in the Mid West and the recommendations published by HIQA in September 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15082/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1085. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1072 of 9 December 2025, to provide an update on her consideration of option C from HIQA’s review urgent and emergency care in the Mid West; the timeline she is working towards in outlining her position with respect to developing an additional Model 3 hospital in the Midwest region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15083/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1084 and 1085 together.
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.
Approval from the Government was granted on December 16th 2025, to progress with a blend of the proposed HIQA options necessary to respond to the challenges in the Mid West, to inform investment and to provide a short, medium and long term view to how we plan for and deliver healthcare services for the people of the region.
I will progress all three options contained in the HIQA report for action and investment to address current risks to patient safety in the shortest timeframe and safest way possible.
Option C represents a significant and long-term service and capital development. To progress Option C, alongside with Options A and B we are establishing a mechanism to appropriately and strategically assess this option and to develop a comprehensive and strategic plan for the incremental reconfiguration and investment in healthcare services in the Mid West region.
Given the scale of this plan, timescales will rely on available capital and revenue investment funding in the context of the needs and requirements of the rest of the country. These steps will inform plans for service and infrastructure capacity in the region that will be outlined in a subsequent Memorandum for Government to be brought later this year.
We have listened to the advocacy of the people of the Mid West region and have engaged with representatives for their health services. I will continue to report back to the people of the Mid West and their representatives on progress of the delivery of the additional capacity that is needed for the region.
