Development: The development of Ireland's first hospice for dying children has begun in Dublin. The Sunshine Home Project will cost more than €6 million to develop with funds coming from both the Government and private investors.
The project which is due for completion in 2007, involves the building of three eight-bedded bungalows for residential, respite and end of life care. An additional eight-bedded unit is planned for the provision of specialist paediatric palliative care, for children nearing death.
Sharon Smurfit who is responsible for securing funding said: "At present, no facility currently exists for children and their families who have to deal with such serious illnesses."
According to the Sunshine Home Project, the development of the new facility will allow parents a much greater choice as to how their children receive care in their final days.
Philomena Dunne, chief executive officer of the Children's Sunshine Home Project said: "When developed, this service will be able to provide support for up to 300 families.
"The development of this hospice care programme will give parents more choice. They can have their child die at home with the support of our team. Where this is not possible, the child can die in our 'home from home' environment."
The development will cost a total of €6.3 million a year to run with public funding expected to come from the Department of Health and Children.