The new national children's hospital is to open in 2016, Minister for Health Dr James Reilly said today.
The Minister said enabling works on the project will take place next year, and that building will start in 2013.
Dr Reilly said the replacement for the Central Mental Hospital and the development of new radiation oncology facilities are also to take place as part of the Government's new capital investment programme.
Funding will also be provided for the development of new primary care centres.
Minister of State at the Department of Health Kathleen Lynch said the new central mental hospital will be built in Portrane, north Co Dublin. She said the project would start next year and will take five years to complete.
The Government is to decide by next Easter whether the new radiation oncology programme is to be funded directly by the State or by means of a public-private partnership.
Dr Reilly also said the development of the new national children's hospital, which is to be funded in part through funding provided by the National Lottery, will not be contingent on the provision of charitable donations.
