Health Minister in Clare

I was delighted to host the Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill in County Clare today.

I had been engaging with the Minister and her Department over recent weeks and I am pleased she accepted my invitation to visit Clare and see first hand the reality of healthcare delivery on the ground.

A key part of the visit was bringing the Minister to west and north Clare to meet local communities and hear directly about the challenges people face, particularly the long distances many must travel to access emergency care in Limerick or Galway. These are issues that are best understood by being here and speaking with people directly.

We also discussed hospital capacity, ambulance services and the need to strengthen local provision, especially at Ennis Hospital. While the wider development of a Model 4 hospital in Limerick is part of the regional picture, Clare must also see real investment in services locally.

I want to thank everyone who took the time to engage today. It was an important and constructive visit and I look forward to continuing the work to ensure Clare’s needs are heard and acted on.