Planning permission has been granted for a new €250m Limerick hospital, which could generate around 620 much-needed construction jobs in the mid-west.

Beacon Medical Group (BMG) said the 183 bed, six theatre, co-located hospital will be built on grounds leased from Mid-West Regional Hospital.

When fully operational the new hospital will directly employ 460 full-time staff, with additional part-time opportunities, and additional indirect employment of approximately 690 people.

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Approximately 620 construction workers will be recruited to build the new hospital which is expected to make a significant positive contribution to the local economy.

The new hospital will accommodate up to 9,400 inpatients and 40,000 outpatients per annum.

Capacity in the co-located hospital will also be available to the public hospital for public patients if required. No public land is being sold to BMG – the hospital site is being leased.

BMG said it is confident of achieving funding for the hospital once final contracts are signed off by the HSE and the Department of Health.

Construction is planned for completion within 30 months from the start date.

BMG Medical Director Mark Redmond said: "We are extremely pleased to have received planning permission for the hospital and believe that it will bring significant benefits to the local community."

(PR/BMcc)