Currently, the choice for parents outside Dublin who want to stay close to their children receiving treatment at the hospital is either to stay overnight in a nearby Bed and Breakfast or to sleep on one of 15 cramped camp beds provided in the wards.

A three-bed house within a 10-minute walk of the hospital has been earmarked by the estate agency for their 'Your Home Away From Home' project. The property has potential to be extended to a fourbed, thus offering accommodation for two families, says Sherry FitzGerald spokeswoman Jill O'Neill.

"The parents' association in the hospital had been looking for some time for a suitable property. Originally we had considered buying an apartment which would be relatively maintenance free, but the bigger house gives us more options.

"The children's hospital in Crumlin has two houses available to parents, but Temple Street so far has none for this purpose. This has been on their wish list for some time."

Each year over 120,000 children attend the north inner city hospital, over 4,000 of whom are from outside Dublin.

Parents and family have to travel long distances, with overnight stays in the city for the duration of a child's treatment.

This puts a huge strain, financially as well as emotionally, on families concerned.

On any given night, Temple Street has a list of up to 20 people waiting for a bed to stay close to their sick children.