2026-07-09

90. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the progression of the master plan for the redevelopment of University Hospital Galway; the timelines for the first phase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52389/26]

In University Hospital Galway over recent years we have seen investment in a 75-bed en suite ward, a temporary emergency department and the new radiation oncology building, but so much more is needed. The master plan, including the 300-bed ward blocks, the oncology centre, new laboratories and a new emergency department, is hugely important to the future. I am looking for a timeline for progression of this project.

It is wonderful to have this conversation with Deputy Kyne in the Dáil because I recall visiting this hospital with Senator Kyne, as he was then, now Deputy Kyne, representing Galway and a continual advocate for University Hospital Galway. He and I were there in May 2025, when we launched the completed master plan, setting out a clear vision for a modern model 4 hospital serving Galway and the west and north-west region. I commend University Hospital Galway and the REO, Tony Canavan, on the way in which they got to that master plan because it took them some time and there were different iterations of it. The way they developed a master plan and a sequential plan for delivery is an exemplar for many other hospitals around the country that might take a leaf out of their book as to how to plan for this. I am happy to say that significant progress has been made in advancing phase 1 of this plan. A major milestone has now been reached with the appointment of design teams for two new ward blocks and associated enabling works. Together, those ward blocks will provide 300 additional beds and represent an important step in moving the master plan from being on paper to being in real life for the benefit of patients. The additional beds will help ease pressure generally on the emergency department, reduce waiting times and improve services generally. I thank the management of University Hospital Galway, who at the beginning of March, alongside the region and the excellent Grace Rothwell, initiated a full reset of the hospital because its trolley situation had been so bad for so long, with 50 or 60 people on trolleys every day. The reset of the hospital was difficult for everyone to do, but they did it and they have managed to sustain it. They have had a few blips going backwards, but you can see and feel a different culture around the management of patient flow in University Hospital Galway. That is hugely important for patients and the Deputy's constituents, the people he represents, and I acknowledge the work they have done. Furthermore, enabling works are under way to, among other things, clear the site for ward block A. That will maintain momentum on site while we undertake the necessary designs and statutory approval processes. The planned relocation of the helipad is vital. I might pick that up in my further response.

I thank the Minister for that response. Certainly, the appointment of the design team is hugely welcome and a positive step. She will be aware of the Mater Hospital during the Covid pandemic and the 98-bed block that was built in two years. These things can be done where there is urgency. We have lost a lot of time in Galway, through no fault of the Minister's, because we have debated for too long whether we will redevelop UHG or move to Merlin Park. We have lost years, unfortunately, as well as money. There is a strong case for the Minister, the HSE and the Department of public expenditure to look at seeking a derogation from the standard HSE design process by combining stages 1 to 3 into a single integrated activity. There is a strong and defensible basis for this approach. Both blocks A and B are primarily bed-based accommodation, supported by well-established HSE guidance and standard approval layouts. Considering the loss of a number of years in Galway, would the Minister see merit in engaging with the Department of public expenditure and reform on fast-tracking these design stages?

I certainly will. In the first instance, I will discuss that with HSE estates. The Minister, Jack Chambers, and the Department of public expenditure and reform are as keen to develop health infrastructure as I am. The accelerated infrastructure report and the work in that is a very significant advancement in that regard. Already we are seeing different areas where we are making quicker progress than we otherwise would have done, so it is very important, and I will certainly do that. It is also important that I highlight the relocation of the helipad. This is important for everybody in Galway and is a matter that sits with Galway City Council. The relocation of the helipad is vital to enabling delivery of the master plan. There is no other way of doing that. It is in the mater plan. It is essential. It will ensure there is a clear flight path for emergency landings away from the future development areas while supporting timely transfer of patients to the emergency department. I understand that the transfer of land is due for consideration by Galway City Council in the coming days. I know there are always concerns among local residents - we all understand that as public representatives - but this is critical to the development of proper emergency services for the people of the north west and enabling the development of the hospital master plan more broadly. I understand that further public engagement by the HSE is taking place this week.

Yes, there will be public engagement later today and again tomorrow. Residents in the Shantalla area hope to be able to pop in there tomorrow as well, and councillors will be engaging. I will certainly pass on the Minister's strong view on pushing on with a decision on the transfer of land in relation to the helipad project. Block A and block B comprise 150 beds and the bed shortage is critical to this project. There are other very important projects, including the new laboratories, which have been in poor facilities for a long time dating back to 1953 or something like that. There also needs to be a cancer centre for the region. Professor Michael Kerin has done tremendous work advocating for cancer treatment in the west of Ireland. However, we need to do everything we can to fast-track the beds. In many cases we are talking about standard designs, which are copied from other places. We are not reinventing the wheel. There are processes in place. It was done in the Mater. It can be done here with engagement.

Not only was it done in the Mater but it was done successfully in Limerick. As the Deputy says, we have this standardised design that can be replicated and has been in other places. I will take that up with the Department of public expenditure and reform and HSE estates to try to advance it as quickly as humanly possible. There is no question but that the additional beds are necessary for Galway. They still have to manage their demand and do all the other things, but they need more beds. It is an area of rising population, which is a good thing, but no matter how well demand is managed there, that pressure is coming in the future and there is no question but that it is necessary. I take the opportunity to ask all Deputies and political parties in the House to do everything they can to take any step in terms of public persuasion and public support. Without the transfer of land for the helipad, we cannot progress this plan in a major way. I ask that everyone take what steps they can to advance critical infrastructure, which is what we all need and what Deputies will rightly come in here and ask me about a different day. We want to deliver this, and this is a critical for moment for everybody in the west and north west.