New maternity hospital gets green light to begin construction

This news marks a major milestone for women's healthcare in Ireland.

The hospital will be built on the St Vincent’s University Hospital campus at Elm Park, with John Sisk & Sons appointed as the main contractor.

Construction is expected to begin in the new year, with the project assigned an approved budget of €1.861 billion.

Announcing the news, the Minister for Health said: “Today's decision by Government marks a major milestone in the delivery of the new National Maternity Hospital and the most significant investment in women's healthcare infrastructure in the history of the State.

“The new National Maternity Hospital will provide state-of-the-art maternity, neonatal and gynaecological services in a purpose-built facility located alongside the specialist and acute services of St Vincent's University Hospital. 

“This co-location will ensure that women and newborn babies, particularly those with complex clinical needs, have immediate access to the highest levels of specialist care when required.”

The new hospital will serve Dublin and the South-East, while also acting as a national referral centre for complicated maternity cases. 

It will provide gynaecological, fertility and endometriosis services, with the aim of improving access to emergency care, reducing transfers between hospitals and providing better inpatient facilities.

Professor Jennifer Walsh, Master of the National Maternity Hospital, welcomed the announcement, and said: “This is an important step forward in realising our goal of providing women and babies with a new National Maternity Hospital at Elm Park.

“In addition to providing maternity care, The NMH cares for women across every stage of reproductive and gynaecological health, supporting them through the many different stages of life.

“The new hospital is designed to provide modern, state-of-the-art clinical facilities in which to provide world-class care.

“Importantly, it will also give our patients the privacy, space and dignity they expect and deserve. For our dedicated staff, it will allow them to work in facilities designed to meet the needs of modern healthcare.

“While the development is progressing, The NMH at Holles Street will continue to provide the excellent care for women and babies that we have for generations.”

HSE chief executive Anne O’Connor added: “Over 7,000 babies were born at The NMH in 2025. There were more than 128,000 outpatient attendances and over 1,300 babies were cared for in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

“The quality of care delivered at the Hospital is of the highest standard despite infrastructural constraints, restricted number of patient beds and outdated facilities."

Speaking about the building phase that is due to begin in January 2027, O'Connor said: “The collaborative approach developed through the procurement process and Pre-Construction Services Agreement has established a strong foundation for delivery. I welcome the appointment of John Sisk & Son and Designer Group. 

“Their expertise and experience in delivering complex healthcare facilities will be invaluable as we move into the main construction phase.

“I look forward to seeing main construction commencing in the new year. Most importantly, I look forward to the delivery of a world-class maternity hospital that will serve women, babies and families for generations to come.”