THE MINISTER for Heath is being pushed to give an update on progress after a new site was announced earlier this year for the expansion of University Hospital Limerick (UHL).
Fianna Fáil senator for Limerick, Dee Ryan, asked the Minister to
provide an update on progress surrounding the recently-acquired
43-acre site in Raheen purchased for UHL’s expansion.
She also called on the Minister to clarify what steps have been taken regarding the development of an additional hospital with a second emergency department for the region, as recommended in the HIQA review into emergency care capacity in the Mid West.
In November 2025, Minister McNeill received backing from cabinet to progress all three recommendations from the HIQA report, which had been commissioned by former Health Minister Steven Donnelly in 2024.
- External Walls: Up to €8,000 Grant
- Attic: Up to €1,500 Grant
- Cavity Walls: Up to €1,700 Grant
- Internal Dry Lining: Up to €4,500 Grant
Senator Ryan said there is a need for clear timelines and regular public updates given the scale of pressure facing healthcare services across the region.
“At present, more than 440,000 people across the Mid West rely on a single emergency department at University Hospital Limerick and that is simply not sustainable,” she said.
“The purchase of the Raheen site is a significant and welcome
development, but people now want to know what progress is being made, what the timeline looks like, and what the next steps are.”
The 43-acre site in Raheen was recently acquired by the HSE for €14million. The Minister announced the site acquisition in early 2026, saying it would be used to expand facilities at UHL.
Senator Ryan said the public now deserves clarity on whether an
additional site, linked to the HIQA recommendaitons, has now been identified.
“There has been considerable discussion around the need for
additional capacity for the region with councillors and stakeholders in both Clare and Tipperary calling for a new hospital with a second A&E for the region to be located in their respective counties,” she said.
“I believe it is important that the Minister provides a clear update
to the Seanad not only on the Raheen development itself, but also on whether a site connected to that wider plan for a second A&E in the region has now been identified.”
Senator Ryan said the announcement follows years of overcrowding and capacity pressures at UHL, which have repeatedly been highlighted by HIQA, healthcare staff, and patients.
“When people don’t get updates and start hearing estimates of 15 to 20 years for completion, there is understandable concern about what happens in the meantime,” she said.
“This is an urgent issue. It is vitally important that the public
are informed on the timelines of these projects and, crucially, that
people are informed on what interim measures the Minister plans to put in place to improve A&E overcrowding for Limerick people in the meantime.”