Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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240. To ask the Minister for Health if she has concluded her consideration of HIQA's review of urgent and emergency healthcare services in the Mid-West region; if she will announce a decision on the options put forward by HIQA by the end of 2025, as per her previous commitment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68216/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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HIQA published their independent and expert review of urgent and emergency healthcare services in the HSE Mid West Region on 30 September 2025.

The HIQA report clearly identifies that the lack of sufficient acute inpatient beds in UHL and the Mid West region is the core issue that needs to be addressed urgently. I opened the first of two new 96-bed blocks at UHL in October. This new bed block has already had a positive impact on capacity and reducing overcrowding.

The HIQA review identifies three potential options for consideration, including:

• Expand capacity at the University Hospital Limerick (UHL) Dooradoyle site (Option A).
• Extend the UHL hospital campus to comprise the existing Dooradoyle site and another site (Option B).
• Develop a Model 3 hospital in the HSE Mid West, providing a second emergency department (ED) for the region (Option C).