The Department of Health is to provide £27 million to improve facilities at Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin.
According to a statement released by Minister for Health Mr Micheál Martin, £27 million is to be allocated under the National Development Plan through the Eastern Regional Health Authority.
The money will go towards building and equipping five new operating theatres, two day theatres, a new day ward, ancillary changing rooms and a new Sterile and Clinical waste disposal unite.
Work on the developments is expected to begin in February of next year, and will take 21 months to complete. "The new facilities will start to be used by patients early in 2004," said the Minister.
"This latest investment will ensure that children on waiting lists for surgery and other procedures can expect a high quality service within a reasonable period of time," he added.