A local senator is welcoming progress on Children's Respite Centre for Monaghan.
Robbie Gallagher explained that the HSE has acquired a suitable site in Drumbear, Monaghan last year.
It has now lodged a planning application for the construction of a purpose-built children's respite centre.
The HSE is seeking to demolish the existing building and replace it with a single storey residential building and all ancillary site development works to facilitate the proposed development.
A decision is expected in February.
Senator Gallagher along with local Councillor Raymond Aughey have welcomed the progress.
Speaking to Northern Sound, Senator Gallagher explained that families don't have to worry as the interim respite centre in Monaghan will continue to operate until the new building is up and running.
"So now the plan is to get planning permission and hoping for a decision around the end of February, and then it'll go out to tender for construction. But in the meantime, as you know, the department did fund an interim childcare respite facility in Monaghan. It's been running now since last November or so, and it's been a huge success.
I'm hearing nothing but positive feedback from parents whose children have used that facility, so it's a credit to the staff there and the work that they're doing. And just to confirm that that premises will remain functioning until such time as a new building is constructed in Monaghan town, which with the best will in the world will probably take the best part of two to three years."