The Minister for Health James Reilly has announced €300,000 of funding is being provided for the construction of the specialised Cystic Fibrosis unit at Cork University Hospital.

Fine Gael Kerry South TD, Brendan Griffin, has welcomed the news and confirmed €150,000 has been already been signed for, while a further €150,000 will be provided in the New Year.

Mr Griffin said: "The money will be provided to the Build4Life group, a fantastic voluntary organisation that has raised more than €2 million to date for the project. It's expected the unit, which will be located in a vacant ward in the hospital, will cost about €3 million in total to complete. The funding approved today is a major step forward for the project.

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"I have been pursuing this issue with Minister Reilly over recent months, and I believe the unit will now become a reality, thanks in part to the funding boost being provided.

"I understand that the Minister will meet with the HSE to review the project early in the New Year, when he will consider its viability in terms of the Government’s capital spending plan. Minister Reilly has made it a priority of his to ensure there are sufficient in-patient beds to treat CF sufferers. I will continue to push this issue to ensure the unit at CUH can come to fruition."

(CD)