Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2026
28. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the outcome of her meeting with Galway University Hospital regarding the chronic issue of overcrowding in the hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17801/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 12 February I attended a workshop with the HSE West North West Region, at which management of University Hospital Galway were present along with other hospitals from the region.
Key issues discussed included the implementation of 5 over 7 working, the Public Only Consultant Contract and broader productivity measures, across the region. These workshops took place with all HSE regions over January and February and I welcomed the engagement of HSE leadership there.
The Government has provided significant investment to University Hospital Galway in recent years. The budget has increased by €230 million since 2020, an increase of 57% from €398 million to €628 million this year. In this time staffing has grown by 815 staff, from 3,787 in 2020 to 4,602 - an increase of 21%. Bed capacity at the hospital has also grown by 5% from 706 in 2020, to 742 this year. That is an additional 36 beds.
Further development at Galway University Hospital is planned, including new laboratory buildings, development of Cath Lab in the long term, the construction of a Surgical Hub on the Merlin Park campus. Longer term development of an Elective Treatment Centre at Galway is also planned.
