The Alzheimer Society of Ireland will soon begin development of its "flagship" building at a site in Blackrock, Co Dublin, following the donation of an acre of land.
The Daughters of Charity have donated the land, worth €2 million, according to Maurice O'Connell, chief executive of the society.
The site is at Temple Hill, Blackrock. The new building will consist of a 12-bed respite unit, day-care facility and staff training facilities, as well as providing a base for the society's national helpline. A counselling service for drop-in patients will also be provided.
Mr O'Connell said the development would cost €4½ million, and construction would begin in early March.
The society has secured €2 million from the dormant accounts fund and hopes to obtain the same amount from the Health Service Executive (HSE) towards the development, according to Mr O'Connell.
"We have begun fundraising to raise the rest of the money," he added.
The Daughters of Charity work with people with intellectual disabilities. The land they have donated to the Alzheimer society is beside their residential centre facility, St Teresa's in Dunardagh, Blackrock. The Alzheimer Society currently operates a day-care facility from the Daughters of Charity's holdings in Blackrock.
"This development will be our flagship model in Dublin. The significant funding from the HSE and dormant accounts has been secured," said Mr O'Connell.
The dormant accounts fund was set up three years ago from accounts in financial institutions that have not been used, or insurance policies that have not been reclaimed, for at least 15 years.
Meanwhile, in the midwest region, the Alzheimer Society's bid to buy Waterman's Lodge country house and restaurant in Tipperary is "in delicate negotiations".
The society has applied to Clare County Council to develop the site from a hotel and restaurant into a respite facility.
"With permission from the owner, we approached Clare County Council. We cannot make the deal until they have agreed to our 'change of use' application," said Mr O'Connell.
He added that donations from financier JP McManus had helped to secure the property, worth more than €2 million. The society has received donations from Mr McManus's Golf Invitational Pro-Am in 2000 and 2005.