Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 February 2026
477. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to give a detailed progress report with regard to the provision of a new permanent oncology and haematology unit at University Hospital Kerry, and if she will prioritise this new oncology unit for Kerry patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15668/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraA capital submission was made in 2021 for an interim modular building on the roof of the Palliative Care Unit and this was approved in February 2022 at an estimated total project cost of €9.38 million. That capital submission was developed in response to impacts arising from the covid pandemic and the limited available footprint resulted in a compromised brief where accommodation was to be shared between the Day Treatment Ward and Outpatient Services, and no space was available for an Aseptic Compounding Unit.
In November 2022, the HSE decided to advance a much smaller interim oncology arrangement within approximately 268 square metres of newly vacated accommodation.
The interim Oncology unit was completed in University Hospital Kerry in 2024 at a cost of €2.44m. This project included for 14 No day treatment cubicles plus 2 No day treatment isolation rooms, 7 No outpatient consultation rooms and an Aseptic compound unit.
Any future proposal for a new permanent Oncology and Haematology unit at University Hospital Kerry will in the first instance need to be centred on evidence based demand analysis and established on a need identified by regional colleagues.
Following the identification of need, any proposal will be progressed through the Department of Health’s Strategic Health Investment Framework (SHIF). The prioritisation of the capital list will be a matter for the HSE Regional Executive Office and the Regional Director for Planning.
