The head of the Children's Hospital Group says she is confident the National Paediatric Hospital will open its doors in 2018.

Planning permission was previously rejected for the hospital at the Mater Hospital site in Dublin. But the Group says it is confident the new hospital will secure planning permission next year.

Clearing of the site at St. James's Hospital in Dublin is underway and construction is set to begin once planning permission is secured.

CEO of the Children's Hospital Group is Eilis Hardiman. She says they are confident they will get planning permission at the new site.