€6.25m in health projects has been allocated to Co Clare for 2026 including a major expansion of Ennis Hospital.
As part of the HSE Building and Equipment Capital Plan 2026, seven different projects in Co Clare have received funding to the tune of €6.25m.
University Hospital Limerick has been allocated €61.5m and University Maternity Hospital Limerick €1.9m as part of the €1.3 billion national allocation for healthcare infrastructure.
A major expansion at Ennis Hospital has received a boost after receiving €3.6m. The proposed development includes a 48-bed ward block, a new theatre block with two theatres, a central sterile services department, accommodation and four recovery bays, it now moves to design feasibility stage.
Bushy Park has been allocated €446,490 for a new residential addiction treatment facility to replace the existing centre.
Funding of €1.1 million has been provided to progress the proposed replacement of St Joseph’s Community Nursing Unit to detailed design stage. This aims to provide modern long stay and short stay beds for older people.
Refurbishment works at Inis Gile in Parteen for dual diagnosis and child and adolescent mental health services will be completed at a cost of €849,298.
Fire safety upgrades at St Senan’s Nursing Home in Kilrush will receive €50,000.
A planned extension to Scarriff Health Centre will undergo appraisal with €56,140 allocated. A dedicated area for an Enhanced Community Care hub at Ennis Primary Care Centre will be equipped at a cost of €101,052.
Included in UHL’s €61.5m allocation is phase one of a second hospital block under the Acute Inpatient Bed Capacity Expansion Plan, a new blood science and pathology facility, reconfiguration of the radiology department with a second MRI, completion of a 16 bed inpatient emergency ward and a second 16 bed inpatient ward unit, and advancement of a third 16 bed ward unit. A further €1.9 million has been approved for appraisal of a proposed Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit at University Maternity Hospital Limerick.
Minister of State with responsibility for Fisheries and the Marine, Timmy Dooley (FF) said the funding represents continued and tangible investment in local healthcare services. “This €6.25 million allocation will support critical projects across our hospital, community and primary care services in this county”.
Additional beds and theatres in Ennis “are essential to meeting growing demand and reducing pressure on acute services,” the Junior Minister stated. “This programme reflects a clear commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery in Clare. Each project, whether at design, appraisal or construction stage, is a step towards expanding capacity and improving the patient experience locally”.
Clare TD, Joe Cooney (FG) said the announcement would help bring services closer to home and better meet the needs of patients and families. “It has been clear for some time that capacity must increase in the region. The commitments set out in this plan are an important step and I will continue to work with colleagues to ensure that these projects move forward without delay”.
Deputy Cooney said the investment would support better services and outcomes for patients across the Mid-West and that he would continue to press for further improvements.
HSE Capital Allocations 2026 – Co Clare:
- Ennis General Hospital: Ward block (48 beds), new two theatre block with recovery bays and Central Sterile Services Department; Design Feasibility; €3,639,122
- St Joseph’s Community Nursing Unit, Ennis: Replacement Community Nursing Unit for Older Persons Services; Detailed Design; €1,110,000
- Hub 08, Ennis Primary Care Centre: Equipping of dedicated area for Enhanced Community Care Hub; Complete; €101,052
- Inis Gile, Parteen: Refurbishment of community nursing unit for Dual Diagnosis and CAMHS teams; Complete; €849,298
- Residential Addiction Treatment Facility, Ennis: Replacement facility for Bushy Park; Construction; €446,490
- Scariff Health Centre: Extension to health centre: Appraisal; €56,140
- St Senan’s Nursing Home, Kilrush: Emergency infrastructure fire safety upgrades; Construction; €50,000
Total Allocation for County Clare: €6,252,102
