Mayo healthcare facilities receive €10m. boost as new ED plan moves to tender stage
Minister of State Alan Dillon has welcomed the publication of the 2026 HSE Capital Plan, confirming a €10.19 million investment for Mayo across hospitals, community healthcare, mental health services and primary care infrastructure.
Minister Dillon said the 2026 plan “builds significantly on last year’s allocation of €6.7 million and continues the strong pipeline of capital investment in healthcare facilities across Mayo.”
The 2025 HSE Capital Plan delivered major progress on projects such as the Mayo University Hospital ED extension, Castlebar Primary Care Centre expansion, and early‑stage planning for new Community Nursing Units in Ballina and Belmullet.
The 2026 plan strengthens that momentum, with increased allocations for construction‑ready projects and continued investment in appraisal and design stages for long‑term developments.
Minister Dillon said: “This year’s €10.19 million allocation reflects the Government’s commitment to expanding healthcare capacity in Mayo.
"We are seeing real progress on the ground, from new emergency care facilities to modern community nursing units and improved mental health residential services. These investments will deliver better care, closer to home, for families across the county.”
Key Mayo Allocations in the 2026 HSE Capital Plan
Appraisal Stage:
Ballina District Hospital – New Community Nursing Unit – €560,000. Continued investment to advance the long‑awaited replacement CNU for Ballina.
Ballina Interim Injury Unit – €28,000. Funding to progress plans for an interim injury unit to enhance local urgent care access.
Belmullet District Hospital – New Community Nursing Unit– €280,000. Further development of a modern CNU for Erris.
New Castlebar Ambulance Base – €110,000. Progressing a modern ambulance base to strengthen emergency response capacity.
Pharmacy Aseptic Oncology Compounding Unit – €561,400. A key step toward enhancing oncology services locally.
Acute Inpatient Bed Capacity Expansion Plan – MUH – €280,700. Early‑stage planning for additional inpatient beds.
Tender Stage
Emergency Department Extension & Medical Assessment Unit at MUH– €4,631,200 major investment to expand ED capacity, add 7 new treatment spaces, and deliver a 10‑space MAU.
Detailed Design Stage
Development Control Plan for MUH Campus – €190,876 Strategic planning for future expansion of the hospital campus.
Construction Stage
High Support Community Residences at An Coilín & Teach Aisling, Castlebar – €1,660,000 Refurbishment and extension to provide upgraded accommodation for nine residents.
Daisy Lodge Respite Centre, Cong – €1,684,200 Continued support for the new national respite facility for children undergoing cancer treatment and their families.
Castlebar Primary Care Centre – ECC Hub Fit‑Out – €190,876 Equipping the new extension to expand community‑based care.
Complete
Hospital Sterile Services Department Upgrade – €22,456 Final equipping and commissioning works.
Minister Dillon added: “This is a strong and balanced capital plan for Mayo.
"It supports major hospital upgrades, new community nursing units, improved mental health facilities, and enhanced emergency and primary care services.
"I will continue working closely with the HSE and with Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill to ensure these projects move swiftly through appraisal, design and construction.”
In a statement, Minister Dara Calleary stated: “I am delighted to confirm that a number of projects that I have been pursuing for Mayo are to be funded under the HSE Capital Plan this year.
"This funding will allow the various projects to advance to the various stages of planning and construction.
“I am very pleased to confirm that €4.6 million has been signed to Mayo University Hospital allowing the new ground floor extension to the emergency department to move to tender.
"This project will also include a new first floor medical assessment unit and reconfiguration of C Ward to facilitate the new build tie-in and provide additional isolation rooms.
"Other projects at Mayo University Hospital are also being funded including Hospital Sterile Services Department upgrade (completed), Development Plan upgrade, Pharmacy Department appraisal and in accordance with the Acute Inpatient Bed Capacity Plan, a bed capacity project has been assigned €280,000.
“Appraisal of the proposed new Community Nursing Unit at Ballina District Hospital has been allocated €560,000 and there is €280,000 set aside for the appraisal of the new Community Nursing Unit at Belmullet District Hospital, while Daisy Lodge – a new campus for use as a short break centre for children undergoing cancer treatment has been allocated €1.6million towards construction and Castlebar Primary Care Centre has been assigned €190,00, while a new Ambulance Base at Castlebar has been allocated €110,000 to bring the total investment for Mayo to €10,199,708.
“I am also delighted to confirm that the Ballina Minor Injuries Unit remains on track to open in early Q2 this year – a new service that will be of great benefit to Ballina and North Mayo but that will also help to alleviate pressure on MUH, and that the plan includes funding for the operational lease of Ballyhaunis Primary Care Centre and the purchase and refurbish of a property in Ballina for Respite Services.
“Each of the projects being funded in 2026 will bring huge benefits to the provision of health services in Mayo – I want to acknowledge the commitment of the HSE locally and all those who have worked on the various projects to date. I look forward to seeing them develop as the year progresses,” he said.