While it is welcome that a fresh planning application is to be submitted for a new critical care wing at the Rotunda Hospital, this and previous governments cannot evade blame for delays to the project, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice.
Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson, said:
“After years of obfuscation, the government has finally confirmed that the 2015 plan to co-locate the Rotunda with Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown has been abandoned.
“It is deeply regrettable that the Minister for Health did not confirm this earlier, as the existence of this co-location plan influenced An Comisiún Pleanála’s decision to overturn planning permission for the €100 million development at Ireland’s largest and oldest maternity hospital.
“The 2016-2021 Infrastructure and Capital Investment Plan said the Rotunda would move to Connolly in the latter years of the plan. Meanwhile, the current National Maternity Strategy, which does not run out until the end of this year, still includes the relocation of the Rotunda.
“The delay to this vital project – which will now have to go through a new lengthy planning process – is the result of government presenting policy for appearance’s sake only.
“As we have now seen with the Rotunda debacle, this has had serious consequences for the critical care of infants and mothers.”
March 4, 2026