M50 site being considered for children’s hospital

The Mater Hospital’s role as the preferred location for a new national children’s hospital is coming under pressure after it emerged a greenfield site near the M50 on Dublin’s northside is being seriously considered.

Reports indicated yesterday that plans for the site near Belcamp and Clare Hall — which would also incorporate the relocation of Beaumont Hospital — received a favourable response from Health Minister James Reilly.

The project also contains proposals for a wider facility which would see the new children’s hospital being incorporated into a €1.2bn medical hub, containing pharmaceutical industries and educational institutions.