The Department of Health has confirmed that a second palliative care bed will be provided at St Joseph's Care Centre in Longford when refurbishment works will be carried out.
Currently the Longford Hospice service has one palliative care bed available with a long running campaign to extend the services.
Previously the HSE claimed that there was no need for additional bed space at the facility. The issue was raised in the Seanad this morning by Senator Micheál Carrigy who again emphasised the need for the service.
Minister of State for Disabilities Anne Rabbitte confirmed that when refurbishment works will get underway at St Joseph's, an extra bed space will be proved as part of the upgrade on the Dublin road:
"There are planned refurbishment works for St Joseph's Care Centre in Longford and the HSE is committed to providing a second palliative care support bed when the works are complete".
Senator Carrigy also asked that the potential for additional capacity be monitored.
"We're delighted that the evidence we provided last year proved the need was there, which we were told wasn't there, but it is there and I would ask that it be constantly monitored and where there is additional need, that additional need be met with an additional bed".
