Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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207. To ask the Minister for Health the plans in place to continue to increase capacity and open more beds at University Hospital Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24102/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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We are continuing a programme of investment in capacity and reform in the Mid West health system, and particularly at University Hospital Limerick (UHL).

In December 2024, a 16 bed inpatient block opened at UHL, as part of a series of fast tracked projects aimed at increasing bed capacity at the site. Another 16 bed unit is due to open in June, with a 96 bed block to be delivered by September. Enabling works are also underway for a second 96 bed block.

The Acute Hospital Inpatient Bed Capacity Expansion Plan details nationwide building projects to respond to the increasing demand for healthcare in the provision of acute beds. Including the two 16 and 96 bed builds, and the beds planned through the Capacity Expansion Plan, up to 308 new beds will be opened at UHL by 2028. Overall, 572 new inpatient beds will be delivered in the Mid-West from 2020-2031.

This expansion is being supported by increases in staffing and broader reforms at UHL. Whole Time Equivalent staffing at the hospital has grown by 45% since 2019, from 2,814 to 4,083 in March of this year.

Site works have commenced on a new Limerick Surgical Hub for elective procedures, and work is also continuing to relieve pressure on the Emergency Department at UHL, diverting patients to alternative services, where appropriate, in smaller hospitals in the Region.