An Bord Pleanála has announced it has granted permission for the new National Maternity Hospital.

The 244-board facility - which will replace the current hospital on Holles St in Dublin city centre - is set to be located on the St Vincent's Hospital campus.

The planning board says it believes the site is the most appropriate solution "to satisfy the requirements in respect of maternity care and the overall development of the St Vincent's University Hospital Campus".

The development will also include an extension to the existing car park, and replacement facilities for 'displaced' services at the campus.

Construction work is expected to take around five years.

The permission comes after the controversy earlier this year over potential religious ownership of the new hospital.

The Religious Sisters of Charity group ultimately announced it would have no involvement in the new facility, and would give up ownership of the St Vincent's Healthcare Group (SVHG).