The Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll-McNeill, has told Deputy Erin McGreehan that Louth County Hospital is to get a new procedure room next year to improve Day Services.
Deputy McGreehan had asked the Minister if there were any plans to enhance services at the facility, which was downgraded in 2010, but since then staff have worked diligently to provide day and resident patients with quality treatment.
The Minister said that projects have been developed at the hospital which include theatre for ear, nose and throat procedures, and a Uroflow clinic for urology services.
She added that these developments compliment already significant investments in the Lourdes Hospital.
Deputy McGreehan has said she will continue to push for extra resources at the hospital. “It has served the people of North Louth and a wider area well over the years, and the more facilities there are for patients the better.”
In a further question, Deputy McGreehan asked the Minister “for her views on the commission of investigation into the activities of Michael Shine at Lourdes Hospital” and if she would make a statement on the matter.
Deputy McGreehan said she had been in contact with the Taoiseach’s office on the matter and was told that party leaders have met with the Minister.
The Minister said that the abuse of trust and attack on the dignity of patients of Mr Shine was a terrible betrayal. “Government has the deepest of sympathy and concern with all victims of Mr Shine.”
She added: “I met with the Dignity4Patients support group in April, 2025. I was grateful to the victims for meeting with me and for the opportunity to listen to them. Following that meeting, I asked the group to set out particular issues it would like to address in a short paper.
“I appreciate the time and effort that went into compiling the response, including the engagement on the part of victims and survivors. The issues set out in the in the paper have been carefully considered, and I expect to receive a paper from officials imminently on the matter.
“On receipt of the paper, I am committed to engaging with Government colleagues to finalise the next steps regarding an appropriate and bespoke response to the issues raised and the needs identified by Dignity4Patients.”
Deputy McGreehan said she had a number of representations on the matter. She would continue to monitor the situation, hoping that a satisfactory conclusion can be reached to the satisfaction of patients and survivors.
For further information, reach out to Erin McGreehan.
ENDS
