€1m Funding Announced For New Midlands Hospice Service

Friday, 10 December 2021 16:37

The new hospice is set to be built beside Tullamore Regional Hospital.

A timeline and cost breakdown for the facility will be complete this month.

€1 million is being allocated for palliative care services in the midlands.

The Midlands Hospice Tullamore will benefit from the once off funding which is being announced by the Health Minister today.

A timeline and cost breakdown for the development of the facility will be complete this month.

Minister Stephen Donnelly says the development of units in Tullamore, Cavan and Drogheda will result in a hospice serving every region of the country;

"We are rightly, very proud of our palliative care services in Ireland. We have seen the availability and range of services grow significantly over the last 20 years. At the same time, we are aware that the provision of services is not equally spread across the country. I have secured €3 million of this once-off funding to progress our commitment to develop hospices in Cavan, Tullamore, and Drogheda. The development of these units will result in a hospice serving every region of the country.”

A hospice is planned for the midlands, and pleased to provide funding to assist in planning and development @OffalyHospice .

(@pippa_hackett @joefla @CharlieFlanagan @campaign4carrig ) pic.twitter.com/345YEN0uGP
— Stephen Donnelly (@DonnellyStephen) December 10, 2021

Laois/Offaly Fianna Fáil TD Barry Cowen, says “I am delighted to receive confirmation of this funding for the development of the Midlands Hospice in Tullamore. Palliative care has a very special place in the hearts of many and it's with deep sadness that I say that the Midlands region of Offaly, Laois, Longford and Westmeath is currently the only region in Ireland that does not have a hospice.

"This funding announced today will go some way in terms of developing the design of a 20-bed palliative care unit with auxiliary services on the selected site at the Midlands Regional Hospital in Tullamore.

"My brother and former Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, played an instrumental role in the provision of the Regional Hospital in Tullamore and it is my wish that I can be as instrumental in ensuring this facility becomes a reality. The delivery of a hospice on the grounds of the Regional Hospital has been a key priority of mine for many years and it is something that Fianna Fáil has been spearheading since we re-entered Government in 2020.

"Today’s announcement follows the budget day commitment by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath TD, to the provision of this funding and I would like to thank both Minister McGrath and Minister Donnelly for their work on progressing this facility to date.

Meanwhile Longford/Westmeath Junior Employment Minister Robert Troy also expressed his support of the announcement.