Monaghan General Hospital went back on emergency call today despite long-running fears that it could be downgraded.
At least two local people died last year because they had to be treated at Cavan Hospital, more than 30 miles away.
Local Fine Gael TD Mr Seymour Crawford hailed the decision as a "breakthrough" for local people campaigning against the 2002 cutbacks at the hospital.
"I believe it will have a very positive effect, not only for the people of Monaghan but on the whole North-Eastern Health Board (NEHB) area," he said.
NEHB chief officer Mr Paul Robinson confirmed the 24-hour, seven-day emergency medical admissions would resume at Monaghan General Hospital.
Surgery and maternity patients must go to Cavan General Hospital or Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.
Local independent TD Mr Paudge Connolly called for overnight surgery facilities at Monaghan to cover emergencies.
He said: "What we have got today is a partial resumption of services. If somebody in the local area is haemorrhaging badly they will still have to be ferried to Cavan.
Mr Connolly expressed concern at a study by the Royal College of Surgeons this week which described Cavan's acute surgery unit as "dysfunctional".
The return of some services at Monaghan is based on the recommendations agreed by a steering group the local health board established in April 2004.
A liaison group made up of medical personnel and management has been set up to oversee the new arrangements.
PA