Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2013
544. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if the previously incurred costs associated with investigative consultancy, planning or architectural issues in respect of previous sites for the National Children's Hospital are likely to be offset in the totality of costs associated with the currently proposed site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14005/13]
View answerThe decision to locate the new children's hospital on the St James's campus was announced on 6 November 2012. Co-location, and ultimately tri-location with a maternity hospital, on the St James's campus will support the provision of excellence in clinical care that our children deserve. The new children’s hospital is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and the largest project within the current Capital Plan. This Government regards the building of the hospital as a priority and no effort will be spared in expediting its completion.
The budget for this project was originally set at €650 million. €450 million of this was indented Exchequer funding of which €39m has been spent on the Mater site. The rest of the funding will come from a number of sources, e.g. education and research bodies, research foundations, commercial enterprises, philanthropy and other sources. In addition, up to €200m can be made available from the sale of the National Lottery.
Of the €39m spent on the project in its previous location, much of the work that was done for the project on its previous site can be transferred to the new site. However, a proportion of the costs incurred require to be written off. This cannot be avoided, having regard to the fact that the continuing serious planning concerns identified meant that the project could not continue on the original site. The totality of costs for the project in its new location will be determined as part of the updated business case to be finalised by the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board.
