Minister Seán Canney provides update on phased redevelopment of University Hospital Galway and HSE Capital Plan Projects for 2026

Seán Canney TD, Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports and Leader in Cabinet of the Independent Ministers, has provided an update on the phased redevelopment of University Hospital Galway (UHG), outlining current progress and next steps in the transformation of the region’s Model 4 hospital, along with projects earmarked for Galway in the 2026 HSE Capital Plan.

While the projects are centred in Galway, UHG serves patients from across the West and North-West, meaning these developments will have an impact far beyond the immediate campus.

University Hospital Galway is undergoing a structured redevelopment under an approved Development Control Plan (DCP), which is a masterplan that sets out a phased approach to modernising and expanding the hospital while ensuring it remains fully operational throughout construction.

The redevelopment will be delivered in five phases:

Phase 1: New helipad, two 150-bed inpatient ward blocks and interim maternity theatres
Phase 2: Laboratory building and ambulatory cancer centre
Phase 3: New Emergency Department, theatres and critical care
Phase 4: Staff/inpatient ward block and Ward Block A Phase 2
Phase 5: Expansion wards and a research and education centre

The sequencing prioritises the delivery of additional inpatient bed capacity in the first instance to relieve pressure within the hospital system, particularly in the Emergency Department.

The redevelopment of UHG is positioned within the NDP Sectoral Plan for Health 2026-2030, under which €9.25 billion has been allocated nationally for health infrastructure and digitalisation. The Sectoral Plan recognises Development Control Plans, including that for UHG, as enabling a structured pipeline of major hospital projects for delivery.

It also references the Acute Hospital Inpatient Bed Capacity Expansion Plan, under which the new inpatient ward blocks at UHG will progress as part of the national programme to increase bed capacity.

Enabling works for the first 150-bed inpatient ward block are progressing. Site clearance has commenced, relocation of services and infrastructure adjustments are underway, and a programme business case for the initial inpatient block is in development. Tender processes are also advancing for enabling works design teams and contractor frameworks, alongside a new Electrical Energy Centre to strengthen the resilience of the campus.

Public consultation has taken place in relation to the relocation of the helipad, with continued engagement ongoing with the local authority to identify a nearby site and release critical space within the existing campus.

University Hospital Galway is one of the State’s designated adult cancer centres and plays a critical role in delivering specialist oncology services for patients across the West and North-West. The redevelopment programme includes investment in laboratory facilities, ambulatory cancer services and associated infrastructure to strengthen UHG’s capacity as a regional Cancer Centre of Excellence. A new Cancer Care Centre at UHG is included as a new proposal in the HSE’s Capital Plan for 2026.

National data has previously highlighted regional disparities in cancer outcomes, underlining the importance of ensuring that patients in the West have timely access to specialist cancer services. Continued investment in UHG as a designated cancer centre is therefore of critical importance for the region.

Minister Canney said: “This redevelopment is being delivered in a phased and carefully managed way. The immediate priority is increasing bed capacity, while ensuring the hospital continues to function safely and effectively throughout construction. UHG is the regional Model 4 hospital, and improvements here will benefit patients right across the West.”

 Alongside the UHG redevelopment programme, a number of key hospital projects in Galway are progressing in 2026 under the HSE Capital Plan for 2026.

These include:

Projects progressing through design at UHG:

New Proposals include:

 

Projects already under construction at Merlin Park
Construction is currently underway at Merlin Park on:

Minister Canney concluded: “Taken together, these developments represent steady and structured progress in strengthening hospital capacity in Galway. Given UHG’s and Merlin Park’s role in the region this work will directly benefit communities throughout the West of Ireland.”

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