€1 million funding for local hospice

The news has been welcomed by local TDs Brendan Smith and Niamh Smyth.

€1 million has been announced for St Christopher's Hospice in Cavan town.

It follows news in October that a new palliative care facility will be built at the site.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly made the announcement on a visit to the centre, where he said €7.5m would be spent on a 16 bed specialist palliative care inpatient hospice and community care facility.

Today's announcement forms part of an overall allocation of €10 million in once-off funding for palliative and end-of-life care across the country.

Funding will also be used to support palliative care services provided by voluntary organisations and support the financial sustainability of the voluntary hospice sector.

Welcoming this announcement local TD Niamh Smyth said “I am delighted to receive confirmation of this funding for St Christophers. Palliative care has a very special place in the hearts of many.

"This funding will allow them to continue to provide medical and nursing care to the highest standards for patients with life limiting illnesses.

Party colleague Brendan Smith TD accompanied Minister Donnelly on his visit to St Christopher's in October. He paid tribute to the work of those involved in the running of St Christopher's:

"Great credit is due to the St. Christopher’s Hospice Committee over the years for their work in providing this very important facility and also their strong advocacy for a new hospice. I will be glad to continue to support their work."

The new development will be funded both by the St Christopher’s Hospice Committee and the HSE and will equate to a joint investment of approximately €7.5m.

It will also include the development of community based residential accommodation for eight people with a physical and sensory disability. This new centre is expected to cost in the region of €2.5m.