by Louise Doyle
WORKS on the construction of the new €59m 110-bed community nursing unit in Letterkenny is underway.
Plant equipment arrived on the site of the unit on the Kilmacrennan Road, close to Letterkenny University Hospital, on Tuesday.
Local contractors, Boyle Construction are behind the state-of-the-art unit, which will comprise a community nursing unit/hospital totalling 9,400 square metres in gross floor area.
The unit will provide a mix of long-stay and short-stay beds for rehabilitation and dementia care users.
The HSE has advised that the project is expected to be complete and operational by the first quarter of 2026.
The building will comprise 110 beds including a mix of long stay, short stay, rehabilitation and dementia care with associated resident accommodation including dining rooms, kitchenettes, residential areas with family overnight room, visitor’s room, treatment room and hairdresser’s salon.
The facility will also provide a purpose-built rehabilitation centre, providing physiotherapy, occupational therapy and allied health professional space.
Other features include an internal courtyard and terrace spaces; associated back of house areas including kitchen and laundry rooms, staff accommodation and ancillary offices; and all associated site and development works including landscaping and site services, and an ESB sub-station.
Minister Charlie McConalogue has welcomed the commencement of works, saying the finished unit will help alleviate pressures on Letterkenny University Hospital.
“The arrival of plant equipment at the site on Kilmacrennan Road close to Letterkenny University Hospital is great news for the people of Letterkenny and Donegal. The estimated time for completion is 28 months from the contract award, so all going well, the new 110-bed community nursing unit will be fully operational in the first quarter of 2026.
“This new state-of-the-art nursing unit is a significant development in the provision of healthcare for the older adult population in Letterkenny and Donegal.
“It will also be of great support to Letterkenny University Hospital and will have the capacity to accommodate a step-down service,” said Mr McConalogue.
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