Over €100m marked for Cork health development

More than €100m has been allocated for the development and enhancement of healthcare infrastructure across Cork as part of the HSE’s capital expenditure plan for 2025.

The plan, announced this week by the health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, will see €103.81m out of €1.33bn spread across a range of healthcare facilities in Cork, with a notable allocation of more than €70m made to Cork University Hospital (CUH).

Of the €70.68m allocated to CUH, €38m has been earmarked for the development of a surgical hub facility.

Other investments include €7.5m for Mallow General Hospital to provide for a 24-bed in-patient ward, as well as an outpatient clinic, configured for the establishment of an obesity/bariatric clinic; €4m for the refurbishment of existing vacant space in Blarney Community Nursing Unit for use as a 20-space neuro-rehabilitation unit; and €1.7m for St Stephen’s Hospital in Glanmire to progress the elective hospital and for the development of a new 50-bed mental health unit.

Speaking to The Echo, Fianna Fáil Cork North Central TD Pádraig O’Sullivan said that the funding will “greatly enhance” patient outcomes for those in the Munster region.

“The takeaway for me is the €4m for Blarney, [which] is much welcomed, [and] long awaited,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

“The important thing now is that we can get on with the onerous task of staffing it.

“It is also great to see an allocation to continue the planning for the elective hospital at St Stephen’s [Hospital] in Glanmire. Once this project is delivered, it will greatly enhance patient outcomes in the region and, hopefully, we are still on course to have that hospital commenced in the next two to three years.”

Fine Gael Cork North Central TD Colm Burke said the announcement is “a strong demonstration of the Government’s commitment to delivering high-quality, accessible healthcare” in local communities.

Social Democrats Cork South Central TD Pádraig Rice said that, while the funding is a welcome investment, progress on elective hospitals should be a “priority” for the Government.

“While this investment in existing healthcare infrastructure is certainly welcome, it is extremely disappointing that so little progress is expected this year on the elective hospital programme,” said Mr Rice.

“In 2023, the health committee was told that Cork’s new elective hospital would be opened in 2027 — but that timeline is a pipe dream. Planning permission hasn’t even been sought.

“Delivery of elective-only hospitals should be a priority for Government and the HSE, but it seems to be little more than an afterthought in this latest plan.”

Sinn Féin Cork South Central TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire said that the funding is a win for Cork, but more needs to be done to alleviate pressure on healthcare professionals.

“We have some of the highest trolley numbers in [Cork], so we do welcome this, but more is needed to invest in our healthcare service to reduce pressure on healthcare staff,” he said.