Maurice Quinlivan
Question:533. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health when the planned 96 bed unit which is under construction at UHL will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3949/24]
View answerTuesday, 30 January 2024
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This Government has invested significantly in University Hospital Limerick (UHL) in recent years, including in major capital projects. In 2019, UHL had a Budget of €265m. The current closing budget for 2023 is €383m, representing a growth in budget of €118 million – or 45% - in just 4 years.
Work on a new 96-bed ward block at UHL commenced in October 2022. The construction phase will take at least two years to complete. It is currently envisaged that the construction phase will be complete by the first quarter of 2025.
Once handed over by the contractors, the new build will need to be equipped and commissioned and staff trained, following the completion of a recruitment campaign. The HSE anticipate that this much-needed additional bed capacity for the Midwest will become operational in mid-2025.