Minister for Health officially turns sod on €100 million extension at Cavan General Hospital

The Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, today officially turned the sod on a major extension at Cavan General Hospital, marking an important milestone in the development of acute hospital services for the people of Cavan, Monaghan and the wider North East region.

Representing an investment of over €100 million, the development demonstrates the Government’s and the HSE’s commitment to strengthening hospital capacity and modernising healthcare infrastructure for the region.

Speaking at today’s event, Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, said: “Today’s sod-turning marks an important milestone for Cavan General Hospital and for the communities it serves across Cavan, Monaghan and the wider North East. This €100 million investment will deliver a modern Emergency Department, a new Endoscopy Unit and additional inpatient capacity, helping to improve access to timely, high-quality care closer to home. It reflects our commitment to expanding hospital capacity, supporting our healthcare staff and ensuring our health service can meet the needs of a growing population.”

The significant new development at Cavan General Hospital will provide 7,588 square metres of additional accommodation and represents a major investment in acute hospital capacity for the region. The project will deliver a new Emergency Department, a new Endoscopy Unit and three floors of modern inpatient accommodation including 56 additional beds, including bariatric facilities and isolation rooms.

The project includes a new five-storey extension which will accommodate a modern Emergency Department at lower ground floor level, a new Endoscopy Unit at ground floor level, inpatient ward accommodation across the first, second and third floors, and a plant area at fourth floor level. The upgraded Emergency Department and Endoscopy Unit will replace and expand existing facilities, creating additional clinical space and supporting better access to urgent and planned care.

When completed, the extension will provide modern, fit-for-purpose facilities to support emergency care, endoscopy services and additional inpatient accommodation. It will enhance the environment for patients and staff, improve patient flow through the hospital, and support the delivery of safe, timely and high-quality care closer to home for people across Cavan and Monaghan. The additional ward capacity, including dedicated bariatric and isolation facilities, will help relieve pressure on beds, support reductions in waiting times and enable more patients to be treated locally rather than travelling outside the region.

The development is a major step forward for hospital services in the North East. It will help address growing demand by expanding capacity, improving patient pathways and supporting better access to urgent and scheduled care.

Cavan General Hospital and Monaghan Hospital operate as a single hospital service with integrated managerial and clinical governance systems, shared care pathways and complementary roles across the two sites. This investment in Cavan General Hospital will strengthen capacity and patient pathways across both hospitals and support the continued strategic development of services for the wider Cavan–Monaghan population.

Sara Long, Regional Executive Officer, HSE Dublin and North East, said: “This is an important investment in the future of healthcare in the HSE Dublin and North East region. It reflects our commitment to strengthening hospital infrastructure, expanding capacity and delivering more integrated services for local communities, in line with the direction of reform across our health service.”

Dervila Eyres, Integrated Healthcare Area Manager, Cavan Monaghan, said: “This development will deliver modern facilities for patients and staff and will enhance emergency care, endoscopy capacity and inpatient accommodation in this region. It will further strengthen the integrated relationship between Cavan General Hospital and Monaghan Hospital, supporting better patient pathways and improved access to care across both counties.”

Laura Waters, General Manager, Cavan General Hospital, said: “This is a significant milestone for Cavan General Hospital and the wider population we serve. The extension will provide the additional space and infrastructure needed to support high-quality care in a more modern environment and will play an important role in the future development of services across Cavan and Monaghan.”

Construction is now commencing on site following completion of the planning and procurement processes. The project will progress, with the HSE working closely with clinical teams, staff representatives and local partners to minimise disruption during building works and keep patients and the public informed as the development advances.