Plans to build a €650m national children's hospital in Dublin, on the site of the Mater Hospital, have been submitted to An Bord Pleanala.

The 445-bed, 16-storey, building has been designed by O'Connell Mahon Architects.

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It will have an underground car park with capacity for 972 cars.

Architect Sean Mahon told the Irish Independent: "Temple St Hospital will also be made available for children's hospital functions in the future. This is separate to the proposed maternity hospital, which will be a separate development."

€450m Government funding is required for the project. If planning is approved the hospital would open in 2016.

(GK)