Joe Neville (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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208. To ask the Minister for Health the plans her Department have to improve the services at Naas hospital; if there are plans for infrastructure investment for the hospital in the next five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24105/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed to the ongoing development of Naas General Hospital (NGH) and has allocated significant resources in order to meet the needs of patients using the hospital. The budget allocation for Naas General Hospital (NGH) is over €130 million for 2025, an increase of 67% from 2020. Staffing numbers at the hospital have continued to grow, with a total of 1,003 WTE in March 2025. This is an increase of 32% compared to the end of 2020.

Several Capital Projects at Naas General Hospital included in the Capital Programme 2025 are under construction. Among these projects is the reconfiguration and refurbishment of existing space to provide 11 bedded AMAU including an ED admissions and discharge lounge, as well as a replacement MRI scanner including enabling works, decommissioning of existing and commissioning of new machine. The reconfiguration of the old hospital's day ward is due to begin construction in Summer 2025 with funding in place to proceed.

The new 50 Bed Acute Lakeview Mental Health Unit, including 9 Intensive Care Beds, is currently at detailed design stage. This is in line with ‘Sharing the Vision – A Mental Health Policy for Everyone’ which emphasises the requirement for investment across mental health services including acute services.

The opening of the Local Injury Unit at Naas General Hospital aligns with the Sláintecare principle of proving the right care, in the right place, at the right time. Services such as the Local Injury Unit provide people with greater access to care in their own community and reduce the pressure on acute hospital services.