The CEO of the Children's Hospital Group has said the announcement of the new National Children's Hospital marks a great day for children's health care.
The Cabinet yesterday approved the construction of the new hospital at the St James's Hospital site in Dublin.
Dr Eilish Hardiman said the projected opening date is Autumn 2021, but satellite centres at Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown and Tallaght Hospital will be open before then.
Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Sean O'Rourke, she said the new hospital will be very different to an ordinary hospital and provide a wide range of services.
She said that future population growth, future healthcare needs and unmet need in existing hospitals were taken into account during the planning process.
Dr Hardiman said they were changing how they deliver services and increasing beds in urgent care, so children can be seen to more easily and discharged without taking up a ward bed.
When asked about parking at the new hospital, Dr Hardiman said that there was a commitment to making sure there was enough spaces.
These can be pre-booked and a number of them will be set aside, with a reduced or free rate, for families staying long term or in poor circumstances, she said.
In addition there will be parking directly outside the emergency department.
