The Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, has today approved the publication of the Health Service Executive’s Building and Equipment Capital Plan for 2026. This plan brings an investment of €15,479,500 million to Louth, as part of a €1.3 billion allocation nationally for the development and enhancement of healthcare infrastructure according to a Fine Gael Deputy Butterly.
Deputy Butterly said, “The investments set out in the 2026 HSE Capital plan shows our commitment to improve Louth’s health service facilities and ensure better access to care for our patients. Investing in our health service is important as our population grows, with many people living longer, healthier lives.
Today’s announcement is welcome news that will help bring healthcare services closer to home and better meet the needs of patients and families in our community. County Louth is set to benefit significantly from the health facility developments,” said the Louth TD.
Acute & Hospital Developments: Drogheda
- Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital
- Completion of a 15‑bay modular surge ward to expand inpatient capacity. – €15,000
- Replacement of Existing OPD Modular Building to Crosslanes with an extended 2storey Building. This will provide improved and additional Outpatients capacity. – €8,900,000
- New Ward Block as part of the national bed‑capacity expansion plan. – €280,000
- Psychiatry of Later Life (POLL) Unit extension. – €4,836,000
Community & Primary Care
- Dundalk Ambulance Station – €280,700
A brand‑new ambulance base on a greenfield site. - Hub 25 – Boyneview House, Drogheda – €1,122,800
Refurbishment and reconfiguration to support the Integrated Care Programme for Older Persons and Chronic Disease Management. - St. Joseph’s Hospital, Ardee
Construction continues on the 50‑bed replacement Community Nursing Unit.
Specialist Care
- Newgrange Hospice, Drogheda
New Specialist Palliative Care Unit. – €10,000
Deputy Butterly is delighted to welcome this strong level of investment for County Louth. These projects represent meaningful progress in expanding capacity, modernising facilities, and improving access to high‑quality care for communities across Dundalk, Drogheda, and Ardee.
Cllr Ejiro Ohare Stratton said:
“The investments set out in the 2026 HSE Capital Plan show our commitment to improve County Louth’s health service facilities and ensure better access to care for our patients. Investing in our health service is important as our population grows, with many people living longer, healthier lives.
Today’s announcement, including investment in the new ambulance station in Dundalk, refurbishment of Boyneview House in Drogheda, the Newgrange Hospice, significant development works at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, and extensions and upgrades at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Ardee, is welcome news that will help bring healthcare services closer to home and better meet the needs of patients and families in our community.
Senator Alison Comyn
Welcoming the announcement, Senator Comyn said this investment represents a significant step forward in strengthening healthcare services across Louth.
This funding is about ensuring that patients and families in Louth have access to safe, modern and high-quality healthcare facilities when they need them most. Investment in healthcare infrastructure is essential not only to meet current demand, but to plan for future population growth and service needs across our communities,” she said.
Today’s allocation will support increased bed capacity, improved outpatient facilities, enhanced mental health services, and strengthened community care infrastructure. It will also support our frontline healthcare workers by providing modern, fit-for-purpose environments where they can continue to deliver excellent care.
