February University of Galway welcomes Government funding for new School of Medicine Building

University of Galway has welcomed the award of Government funding to progress the development of a new School of Medicine Building and support the expansion of healthcare education.

 The investment was announced by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless T.D., as part of a €75million capital programme which is being made available through the Healthcare Education Activation Programme (HEAP) under Project Ireland 2040.

 The Government funding supports the building of the new School of Medicine Building at University of Galway, as well as a new Masters in Pharmacy programme, which is in its first year, and a new Graduate Entry Medicine (Rural and Connected Health) degree which is due to commence in September 2027.

 The University’s new School of Medicine Building is to be built on the south campus, a short distance from the Quadrangle, where it will join the Block E building, a protected structure of historical and architectural significance.

 The new building development complements the expansion of healthcare courses at University of Galway - the five-year MPharm, which commenced in September 2025 and will offer 75 student places at full roll-out, and the new Graduate Entry Medicine (Rural and Connected Health) programme which is due to begin in September 2027 to address critical medical workforce deficits, with 48 places available for students at full roll-out.

 Professor David Burn, President of University of Galway, said: “Government funding for University of Galway to expand of healthcare education and state-of-the-art teaching and learning facilities is a strong acknowledgement of the role which our institution plays both regionally and nationally. I would like to thank Minister Lawless, the Department and the Higher Education Authority for the support. This investment in University of Galway ensures we are primed to play a critical role in the development of the next generation of healthcare specialists and leaders.” 

 Dr Martina Ni Chúlain, Director of Strategic Development at the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at University of Galway, said: “With investment of this nature and our planned developments in healthcare teaching and learning at University of Galway, we are turning our strategy into action. This new medical school building strengthens our established position as a national and international leader in medical education and research, further advancing the student experience, the excellence of our academics and researchers and delivering meaningful benefits for our region, for patients and for the wider health sector.”

 Professor Robert Scully, Programme Director of the new Graduate Entry Medicine, said: “This new facility represents a transformative investment in the future of medicine and health sciences at the University of Galway. Designed as a vibrant, co-located hub for interdisciplinary learning and discovery, it enables us to deliver medical and healthcare education through cutting-edge, technology-enabled teaching practices and redefines how we prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals.”

  Professor Laurence Egan, Head of the School of Medicine at University of Galway, said: “The new School of Medicine Building will not only transform how we teach and learn, but also strengthen the way we collaborate across disciplines and engage with our healthcare partners. It will foster a model of medical education that champions innovation, teamwork, and a deep connection to the evolving healthcare needs of our region and beyond.”

The University secured planning approval for the development of the new School of Medicine Building last September. The building design runs over four storeys, covering approximately 3,925sq metres, and is integrated, via a glazed atrium link, with the existing Block E building, a protected structure of historical and architectural significance.

 It will offer state-of-the-art facilities for teaching and research, including tutorial, seminar and meeting rooms, study spaces and collaboration areas, advanced research laboratories and administration offices.

 As part of the University’s broader sustainability goals, the design includes plant systems and solar PV panels to enhance energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

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