Galway Bay fm newsroom - Progress is being made in converting a former hospital in Tuam into a new mental health facility.
The county council has granted planning permission to the Health Service Executive for the development at the old Grove Hospital at Vicar Street.
It'll involve the part-demolition, refurbishment and remodelling of the building in two phases.
Phase One will incoporate mental health and shared services.
Phase Two will accommodate Early Intervention and disability services.
County planners have imposed 15 conditions on the grant of planning permission, including a stipulation that all ground works within the site are monitored by an archaeologist.
This is to conserve the archaeological heritage of the site and secure the preservation of any remains, which may exist.
There have been recent claims that there are babies buried at the back of the Old Grove site, which was once run by the Bon Secours order.
Junior Minister and Galway East T.D, Seán Canney says it's a step forward in providing better health services in Tuam.
