Planning appeals board An Bord Pleanála is expected to give its verdict on proposals for a new Cork hospital this week.

The plans have accommodated for a 175-bed private facility located at the Cork University Hospital.

Planning officials recently green-lighted a similar development in Limerick.

Beacon Medical Group will build a 183-bed, six-theatre co-located hospital on grounds leased from the Mid-West Regional Hospital.

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The €250m Limerick facility - stretching over 25,429sqm - will have the capacity to treat 9,400 inpatients and 40,000 outpatients every year.

Beacon Medical has remained positive it will gain funding for the scheme when contracts are signed off by the HSE and Department of Health - despite gloomy economic forecasts.

The HSE board has already approved preferred-bidder status for the development of co-located hospitals at Beaumont, Cork University Hospital, the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, St James's, Waterford Regional Hospital and Sligo Hospital.

(PR/JM)