There has been widespread political condemnation of the HSE this week following its failure to meet the March 31 opening date for the new Killarney Community Nursing Unit (CNU).

The state-of-the-art facility on the bypass remains empty despite repeated assurances that the 130-bed unit would be operational by the end of the first quarter of 2026.
The delay has sparked a political outcry, further fuelled by revelations from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) that there has been no meaningful engagement from the HSE regarding staffing issues since last May.
The Killarney Advertiser has made repeated attempts to get clear answers from the HSE regarding the missed deadline, but the health authority has failed to respond to our specific queries.
In a move that has been described as “beyond belief,” the HSE issued a generic newsletter last Friday, just two working days before the scheduled opening, claiming the project was still on course to meet the March 31 deadline.
This statement was issued despite the obvious lack of activity at the site and the unresolved staffing disputes.
“Broken Promises”
The Mayor of Killarney, Cllr Martin Grady, expressed his deep disappointment at the further setback. “This is extremely disappointing for the people of Killarney and across County Kerry,” he said. “We are in urgent need of additional beds, and this facility is already well behind schedule. People are losing confidence. We have been given false hope too many times. Our community deserves clarity and delivery. No more broken promises.”
Mayor Grady also warned that the delay is stalling other vital projects, such as the proposed primary care centre at St Columbanus, which cannot progress until the current residents are moved to the new hospital.
Staffing Deadlock
The INMO has warned that it would be unsafe to transfer any services to the new building before staffing levels are clarified. Kathryn Courtney, INMO industrial relations executive for Kerry, told Radio Kerry this week that the union has written repeatedly to the HSE since last May but has yet to receive a reply.
Pa Daly TD has called for urgent talks to commence, stating: “The latest delay has arisen because the HSE is not engaging in talks regarding staffing. I support the call by the INMO for talks to commence urgently so that these long-awaited and much-needed beds can be provided. This ask is reasonable and is in fact obligatory in the public service agreement.”
Danny Healy-Rae TD echoed these concerns, raising the matter with the Minister for Health this week. “It is beyond belief that the HSE have not engaged with the INMO since last May regarding staffing,” he said. “In order to have the hospital fully operational, staffing needs to be finalised, and it seems it has not even been discussed recently.”
Demands for Transparency
Cllr Jackie Healy-Rae, who sits on the Regional Health Forum South West, blasted the HSE for a lack of transparency. He said that he was told on the record at recent meetings that the facility would be open by the end of March.
“Now we have a situation where that deadline has passed, the building remains empty, and serious questions are being raised,” Cllr Healy-Rae said. “If what the INMO is saying is correct, that there has been no meaningful engagement for 10 months, then the public representatives have not been given the full truth. We need honesty now. Not intentions, not ambitions, but facts.”
While the HSE’s generic statement mentions continued engagement with HIQA and a “phased opening” subject to staffing, no new definitive date has been provided to the public.
The matter is expected to be a primary focus at the next Regional Health Forum meeting on May 7.

Easter rail disruption for Killarney and Tralee passengers

Killarney and Tralee rail passengers are advised to plan for significant disruptions this Easter weekend due to major engineering works on the Cork line.

Iarnród Éireann has confirmed that as part of the Cork Area Commuter Rail programme, signalling and track laying works will take place on Saturday, April 4 and Easter Sunday, April 5. These works will impact all services travelling between Kerry and Cork Kent Station.
During this period, bus transfers will be in place for the final leg of the journey between Mallow and Cork. Passengers travelling from Tralee and Killarney to Cork, and those returning, will be required to transfer to coaches at Mallow station.
A revised timetable will be in operation across the entire Intercity network from Good Friday,  April3,  through to Easter Monday,  April. 6 While the primary impact for Kerry travellers is the Mallow to Cork transfer, Irish Rail is urging all customers to check the official journey planner or the Iarnród Éireann app before heading to the station.
Pre-booking for Intercity travel is strongly advised during the holiday period to ensure capacity on the replacement bus services.