€13.29 million for Laois in the 2023 Health Capital Plan

Laois has been allocated €13.29 million under the 2023 Health Capital Plan for health and social care infrastructure published today.

The funding allocated for 2023 will progress and deliver a range of acute and community projects across the county.

Minister of State in the Department of Foreign Affairs, Sean Fleming  welcomed the 2023 Capital Plan for the construction and equipping of healthcare facilities. 

Outlining the allocation in Laois, Minister Fleming explained that the sums allocated represent the spend for 2023 and not the total project costs. 

In Laois, €7 million has been allocated for St Vincent’s Mountmellick for Phase 1 of the new build. 

At the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise, €4.95 million will be spent in total. A Respiratory Assessment Unit for ED to segregate Covid and non-Covid clients has been allocated €2.85million. In the Acute Mental Health Unit, €700,000 will be spent on anti ligature works. 

A further €690,000 is to be spent on Mechanical Upgrade Works; Decontamination Unit,; Endoscopy Procedure Room 1 & 2; Special Care Baby Unit Decontamination Unit, Special Care Baby Unit. Another €400,000 is to be spent on a project to complete works based on fire safety audit report. A further €60,000 reconfiguration of available space to provide additional clinical and admin accommodation and €250,000 reconfiguration of Maternity Ward. 

Elsewhere in Portlaoise, €255,000 for the adaptation of a building on the St Fintan's Campus to create Portlaoise Primary Care Centre. The project is at detailed design stage. 

Replacement of Community Residence for four Intellectual Disability clients in Summerhill is €500,000.

A total of €330,000 was allocated for a new building adjacent and linked to existing Health Centre at St Fintan's campus to facilitate establishment of Interim CDM Laois base incorporating ICPOP Outreach services. Refurbishment of 80 sq m first floor of the existing Health centre for Office Accommodation for CDM Team.

A total of €210,000 for new build facility for long term CDM base and Integrated Care Programme for Older Persons(ICPOP) outreach services and associated ECC accommodation. To be linked to existing Health Centre. 

Lastly, €50,000 is to be spent on Refurbishment Works for CAMHS Team 3 in St Fintan’s Hospital Portlaoise. 

“I was very pleased to have spoken in detail with Minister Donnelly about these much needed projects in Laois,” said Minister Fleming.

“Each project provides an excellent service for those in need of healthcare in our communities or in a hospital setting. It is important that we see continued support to maintain the buildings and the services they provide,” said Minister Fleming. 

“I look forward to works progressing as quickly (as) possible and I would like to acknowledge the great work provided by everyone involved in delivering these healthcare services,” he added.

Minister Pippa Hackett also welcomed the publication of the 2023 Health Capital Plan which set out spending of €1 billion nationally this year. 

“This is the first capital plan prepared under the new HSE Capital and Estates Strategy, which is a key enabler for Sláintecare, climate action and sustainability,” she said. 

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“In Laois, the largest capital investment of 2023 will fund the ongoing work on Phase 1 of the upgrade and expansion works at St Vincent’s Community Nursing Unit in Mountmellick.

Work is well underway and I look forward to the new facilities and extra capacity that this and subsequent phases will bring to those who require long stay, respite or rehab care from a catchment of Laois and Offaly,” Minster Hackett said.