Dublin's Mater Hospital has this evening welcomed its selection as the location for the new National Children's Hospital.
The Health Service Executive formally announced its decision today, after a taskforce recommended the Mater site for the new children's hospital at a HSE board meeting yesterday.
Mater Hospital statement
In a statement, the Mater said its board, management and staff were "delighted" at the decision, following a "rigorous and exhaustive independent assessment process".
The developer Noel Smyth yesterday reiterated his willingness to build the hospital on a not-for-profit-basis.
"Subject to cabinet approval for the selection of the Mater we look forward to delivering a world class facility for all the children of Ireland and their families in the swiftest possible time," the statement said.
"The hospital has been working for many years on the development of a new campus for the delivery of a new era of healthcare services.
"An integral part of that plan has been the relocation of our partners in Temple Street Children's Hospital as part of the new campus.
"The designation of the children's hospital as the new national tertiary hospital for children will add a significant new dimension to this element of the campus development plan."
A taskforce with members of the HSE and the Department of Health and Children was set up to assess the various options available for the new National Children's Hospital, which is currently based in Tallaght.
That group's report was endorsed by the HSE's board yesterday and has been sent to the Tánaiste and Minister for Health & Children Mary Harney for her consideration.
A report by McKinsey consultants found that Ireland, based on its population size, can only support one world class specialist children's hospital and said that should be located in Dublin alongside a leading adult academic hospital with space for future expansion. That study said the hospital should also be easily accessible by road and public transport.
The HSE said the final decision of the taskforce to recommend the Mater Hospital site was based on several factors. These included the current location of clinical services around the city and the speed with which the children's hospital could be developed.
The Mater site will allow the new children's hospital access to a "clinical network" with specialist services such as cardiothoracic surgery, the national spinal injuries unit, a major burns unit and the national heart and lung transplant programme all located within easy reach.
According to the HSE, the Mater also may also potentially accommodate a maternity hospital in the future.
The developer Noel Smyth yesterday reiterated his willingness to build the hospital on a not-for-profit-basis.