The 20-bed facility is the result of a long-standing campaign by midlands hospice groups.
The long-awaited decision for the location of a new midlands hospice has been announced.
The new 20-bed, €20 million facility will be developed on the Arden Lane in Tullamore, after an independent scoring matrix found it was a more suitable location than the Wellwood Healthcare Campus.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly hopes planning permission and a plan to service the site can be secured within 12 months.
However, if those conditions aren't met, he says he will instruct his Department to revert to the Wellwood campus as the designated site, if it's still available.
Minister Donnelly says it will be a game changer:
The announcement follows a significant fundraising effort of over €1 million as part of the Hooves 4 Hospice project.
As part of the campaign, Tullamore Lions Club agreed to donate the Arden Lane site to the HSE for the development of the new facility, should it be chosen as the designated area.
That site was also the preferred option of both Laois Hospice and the North Westmeath Hospice Group, due to its room for expansion, and ability to accommodate patients on the ground floor.
Offaly Hospice favoured the Wellwood Healthcare Campus, due to its accessibility and lack of obstacles for a planning application.
Minister Donnelly added: "My priority now is to ensure that work on the new Midlands Hospice proceeds immediately to deliver this important development for the people of the Midlands.
I am concerned at any prospect of this project being delayed by years and to address concerns raised with me, I am stipulating that within twelve months, planning for the new hospice at Arden Lane must be granted, along with an agreed road widening plan and funded commitments from the relevant state bodies to bring services to the Arden Lane site."
Former Midlands Hotel Set To Accommodate Ukrainian Refugees
Over €19,000,000 Sports Capital Grant To Go To Midlands
Westmeath Local Property Tax Hike Flies In The Face Of Government Policy - Mick Dollard
Westmeath Worst-Ranked County For SMEs In New Study
Over 67,000 Motorists On At Least Third Provisional License
"Mystical Company" Helped Adventurer Swim River Shannon In Record-Breaking Fashion
Westmeath Special School Students Still Without Bus Service
More Sustainable Funding Model For Youth Workers Needed - Youth Work Ireland
New Campaign Calling For Gender Quota In Local Elections
Over 80,000 Batteries Saved From Landfill In The Midlands
Gardaí Investigating Serious Assault Of Laois Taxi Driver
Laois Hospice Chooses Preferred Midlands Hospice Site
Three Sites In Consideration For National Ploughing Championships 2025
Budget Issues Resolved In Two Midlands Hospitals
Rhode Residents "Absolutely Delighted" After Oxigen Facility Plans Are Refused
Tullamore Councillor Gets Fianna Fail Green Light For Dail Run
Irish Hot Air Balloon Championships Taking To The Skies In Offaly
Westmeath Serves As The Setting For New Crime/Comedy Novel
Garda Commissioner Criticised Over Response To Coolock Riots This Summer
Props From 'Friends' Set To Go For Auction Today