Plans to build Ireland's first children's hospice, which will help care for 1,300 young patients living with life-limiting illnesses, were unveiled by the Taoiseach yesterday.
The Health Service Executive and the Children's Sunshine Home charity in Leopardstown, Dublin, are to hold talks about the project in the coming weeks. Building of the facility will begin in November.
Bertie Ahern met children and their families yesterday as he viewed the plans for the hospice at the Leopardstown centre.
The Sunshine Home, a voluntary body, was established to help some of the estimated 1,369 children in Ireland with life-limiting conditions such as cerebral palsy, brain damage, meningitis, muscular dystrophy and life-threatening illnesses such as cancer.
It provides respite, home support, residential and palliative care.
Mr Ahern commended its "truly professional service delivered with sensitive care and compassion".
"As a country, we have come a long way and the Government and I appreciate that we have much more to do."
