Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar

Local hospital highlighted as government defends public only consultant reforms

Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar

Published: Sat 18 Jul 2026, 9:30 AM

Mullingar Regional Hospital has been cited by Tánaiste Simon Harris as one of the hospitals already seeing the benefits of the government’s public-only consultant contract, despite mounting criticism over delays in fully implementing the reform.

The issue was raised in the Dáil by Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan, who asked what measures are in place to ensure the public-only consultant contract is being properly enforced. He pointed to ongoing breaches, particularly at University Hospital Galway, where consultants on public-only contracts are reportedly continuing to undertake private work while diagnostic backlogs persist.

Deputy O’Callaghan argued that the contract, introduced in 2023 and due to be fully implemented by January 2026, should already be operating as intended. He questioned why the government were prepared to allow exceptions to continue for several more months.

Responding, the Tánaiste insisted the government remained fully committed to the reform programme under Sláintecare. He said the HSE had confirmed that additional payments linked to previous service level agreements had ceased at the beginning of the year and that long-standing arrangements were being wound down safely.

Mr Harris outlined a series of oversight measures, including HSE audits and regular regional reviews led by Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. He said the reforms are already delivering tangible improvements in hospitals across the country.

Among the examples highlighted was progress at Mullingar Regional Hospital, alongside developments in Kerry and St James’s Hospital.

While the Tánaiste did not specify the changes taking place in Mullingar, he said the hospital was benefiting from the public-only consultant contract as the government continue the drive to strengthen Ireland’s public health service.

The exchange comes as pressure grows on the government to ensure the new consultant contract is applied consistently while maintaining patient services.