Emergency Dept will not be built before mid-2026

Mr Varadkar made the comments in 2014 and following persistent political pressure, a commitment was included in the Programme for Government for a new ED to be “prioritised”.

It was described by then Taoiseach Enda Kenny as “not fit for purpose”.

The project was the subject of a series of delays – a planning application was supposed to be lodged in 2018 and then in February 2019.

However, the project brief was changed, and it was decided by the Saolta University Healthcare Group – which operates UHG – that the ED would form part of a seven-storey block with the top two floors used for paediatrics and maternity services.

Now Tánaiste, Mr Varadkar in recent weeks described the ED in Galway is one of the worst in the country.

Current Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, has said the estimated completion date for the new ED is the middle of 2026.

Following a Parliamentary Question from Galway West TD, Fianna Fáil’s Éamon Ó Cuív, Minister Donnelly said the project will not go to the planning stage until next year.

“A strategic assessment report is currently being developed for the new ED and Women’s and Children’s Block at University Hospital Galway.

It is envisaged that the project will progress through the planning process in 2022.  Following detailed design and a tendering process, construction works should commence in 2024, with an estimated completion date of mid-2026.

“A temporary ED is currently being delivered at UHG to provide additional ED capacity,” said Minister Donnelly.

He added that it is “hoped to commence” construction next year on relocating some general medical and surgical outpatient clinics from UHG to Merlin Park, as well as the Adult Fibrosis outpatients’ unit.

“Planning permission for this project is in place and it is hoped to commence construction next year and to complete the work in 2023,” he said.