Planning approval for Midlands Hospice in Tullamore 'an important milestone'

OFFALY County Council has officially approved planning permission for a 20-bed Midlands Specialist Palliative Care Unit on Arden Lane in Tullamore.

This decision ensures that the long-awaited hospice facility will become a reality, addressing a critical gap in specialist inpatient palliative care for Laois, Offaly, Longford, and Westmeath.

The Government has committed €24 million in capital funding to support the development of this facility, reinforcing its pledge to improve access to high-quality end-of-life care.

The new hospice will include:20 inpatient beds, a day therapy unit, an education centre and modern car parking and EV charging facilities

This project will provide compassionate, specialist care closer to home for families across the Midlands.

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, Minister for Health said: “I warmly welcome the approval of planning for the Midlands Hospice. This is an important milestone in delivering on the Government’s €24 million capital commitment. I am so grateful to all involved, many of whom I met when I visited in April of last year.

"We will continue to invest in palliative care services to ensure equitable access and the highest standards of care for people and families across Ireland.”

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Kate Killeen White, Regional Executive Officer (REO), HSE Dublin and Midlands commented: “This planning approval is a landmark moment for healthcare in the Midlands. This hospice will ensure that people with life-limiting illnesses receive the dignity, comfort, and specialist care they deserve. We are grateful to all who have worked tirelessly to make this happen.”

This achievement reflects years of advocacy and collaboration among local hospice groups and community initiatives. We acknowledge the five Hospice Groups in the region—Laois Hospice, Longford Hospice, North Westmeath Hospice, Offaly Hospice, and South Westmeath Hospice—whose volunteers have fundraised tirelessly for palliative care initiatives. Innovative campaigns such as Hooves-4-Hospice, led by the Lions Club, and the Irish Hospice Foundation’s advocacy and research have been pivotal in keeping this project at the forefront of healthcare priorities.

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Joseph Ruane, Head of Primary Care HSE Midlands said: “The Midlands has long been one of the only regions in Ireland without a specialist inpatient palliative care unit. This development will close a critical gap in service provision, enhance quality of life for patients and families, and strengthen community-based and inpatient palliative care. I would like to thank and acknowledge the work and support of successive Ministers of Health, all hospice and associated groups throughout the midlands and nationally and our locally elected representatives (past and present) who have been so steadfastly supportive of this development over many years. It truly is a significant milestone for this project and for the Midlands population we serve.”