The signing of the contract for the development of a cystic fibrosis (CF) unit at St Vincent’s hospital is expected to be signed within the next 24 hours.
It is understood that the hospital and contractor John Paul Construction are due to sign the contract for the €20 million-plus development after which point work on the unit is to begin immediately.
The unit, a five-storey, 100-bed hospital block of which two storeys and 30-35 beds in individual en suite units, will dedicated to cystic fibrosis sufferers. The area for the unit has been cleared, finance is in place and a completion date is scheduled for mid-2012.
Cystic fibrosis is the most common inherited life-threatening disease which primarily affects the lungs and digestive system.
Ireland has four times the rate of cystic fibrosis of other EU states and the US and some 1,300 people in Ireland are sufferers.
Fine Gael welcomed today's news with its health spokesman and deputy leader Dr James Reilly saying it was "deeply sad" that so many have died while waiting for the facility.
"I hope that this unit is now finally becoming a reality and, at last, young people with CF will be given a fighting chance," he said.