Minister McConalogue Seeks Urgent Meeting with HSE Over Buncrana Hospital Delay

Donegal TD Charlie McConalogue has requested an urgent meeting with the Health Service Executive (HSE) after what he described as an unacceptable delay to the start of refurbishment works at Buncrana Community Hospital.

Planning permission for the redevelopment project was granted in September 2024 and includes a single-storey extension to the hospital. The plans will provide six new single-bed wards, a waiting area, and a visitors’ room, while the existing smoking room will be converted into a new day room for residents.

The works will also see the current building reconfigured to provide a total of 30 single-occupancy rooms, including 19 long-stay beds and 11 respite beds. The hospital kitchen is also due to be fully refurbished and modernised as part of the project.

Mr. McConalogue said he had previously been informed that construction would begin earlier this year.

“In November 2025, the HSE confirmed to me that construction would commence in the first quarter of 2026. However, in the latest correspondence received from the HSE, it indicated that the project is currently at the pre-tender approval stage and that works on site will commence in the third quarter of 2026,”  the Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy said.

“The slippage in the delivery timeframe is totally unacceptable, and I have requested an urgent meeting with the HSE to discuss this vital project.”

The Minister also noted that several beds have already been closed in preparation for the refurbishment works, meaning they will now remain out of use for longer than expected.

“The delay means that these beds are out of use for a longer period than necessary and are not available to the local community for their health care needs to be provided for in the local community,” Mr. McConalogue added.

Under the Health Service Capital Plan for 2026, Donegal has been allocated €35.98 million for 24 major health infrastructure projects. Included in this is €1.4 million for the refurbishment of Buncrana Community Nursing Unit.

“It’s vital that this project is delivered in the fastest time frame possible and that these beds are reopened and available to the community,” the Donegal Minister of State added.  

South Inishowen councillor Fionán Bradley also expressed frustration at the latest delay.

“Buncrana Community Hospital is a massive asset to the entire area. I know first-hand how important this project is to the people of Buncrana, and it is completely unacceptable that it has consistently been beset by delays.”

“It simply isn’t good enough, and I will continue to do all I can with Minister McConalogue to make sure that the refurbishment works get underway without delay,” the Buncrana Councillor added.

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Meanwhile, Councillor Joy Beard said the ongoing delays are having a real impact on families across Buncrana and the wider Inishowen area.

“Families are travelling significant distances to visit loved ones because beds are not available locally. These are elderly people who should be able to remain close to their families and their community. That is not right, and it is not fair,” the 100% Redress Councillor said.