The Health Service Executive South yesterday said it had received approval to proceed with the construction of a new 40-bed residential unit providing community care and hospice care in Kenmare, Co Kerry.
The facility, on the site of the existing community hospital, will cost €8 million. Work starts in late autumn.
The facility will replace the existing 24-bed unit, and has been much sought after due to the region’s ageing population. A new hospital for Kenmare had become something of a political issue in recent years.
It was welcomed yesterday by Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae, whose father, former TD Jackie Healy-Rae, said the facility was one of his bargaining chips in supporting the last government last December.
Construction works on the new unit are to commence in October and it is envisaged that the facility will be completed within 18 months.