Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)

The Government approved the preliminary business cases for Cork and Galway, and the preferred sites for the two Dublin facilities. Following a public tender competition, the HSE appointed a design team and project controls team at the end of 2024. The design team is progressing design and engagement to inform statutory planning submissions and the regulatory approvals required. I go back again to my infrastructure point.

Surveys and site investigations have been conducted, which are informing the design and planning applications for enabling works that are expected to be submitted shortly. The design team is also progressing detailed design and tender documents to commence procurement for the main works. The granting of full planning permission for the Cork and Galway main works, expected to be submitted next year, will determine when construction works can commence.

The Dublin plans will also be progressed, using the principle of design once, build four times to optimise efficiencies, delivery timelines and value for money. Delivering these new facilities will require significant investment. I am engaging with my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, to secure the necessary funding through the NDP review. In the interim, new surgical hubs have been developed, with south Dublin already operational and those in north Dublin, Waterford, Galway, Cork and Limerick now under construction and expected to open for patients during the course of this year and next.

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